1. Amphitheatrum Flavium
The Colosseum
Amphitheatrum Flavium

2. Statistics Seating capacity: 50,000
Number of entrances: 80 (76 used by public; 2 by gladiators; 1 by magistrates; 1 by emperor)

4. Emperor’s box Emperor’s entrance N Magistrates’ box
Magistrates’ entrance
Porta Libitinensis
‘Gate of Death’
Underneath this entrance were two spiral staircases down to a tunnel leading to the Ludus Magnus.
Porta Triumphalis
Where pompa enters
Emperor’s box
Emperor’s entrance

5. Augustus’s segregation of social classes in amphitheatres
The Vestal Virgins have special seats on the podium facing the magistrates’ box
Special places for:
Visiting ambassadors & diplomats
Soldiers
Married men
Adolescent noblemen & their tutors
Women (on the 4th - highest - level)
Poor commoners
Foreigners
Slaves
Augustus introduced a system of numbered seats: everyone going was given a token (tessera) telling them which seat had been reserved for them.

6. Detail of magistrates’ entrance from bas-relief from Tomb of the Haterii, Rome
Magistrates’ entrance on north side.

7. Vomitoria (entrances to the cavea)
Podium
Ramps
Lifts

8. Seating in the cavea (auditorium) of the Colosseum
Lowest class wood used for this level to reduce outward thrust on wall.
Ordinary citizens (plebs): divided into numbered sections, known as wedges (cunei)
Equestrian class: 8 or 9 marble terraces
Also known as podium. Four broad marble steps with chairs reserved for VIPs: senators & their guests

9. Lift system for animals from the time of Titus

10. Lift system from the time of Domitian

11. Brackets & 3 of the 240 holes in the cornice for the wooden posts from which the vela (awning) was suspended. It was operated by an estimated 1000 sailors

13. Wall painting from Pompeii, showing the riot of 59 AD between the Pompeians & Nucerians, which resulted in it being closed on Nero’s orders for ten years. The painting is unique in showing an amphitheatre with its awning extended.

14. Amphitheatre, Pompeii