When Was The Colosseum Built

The first time I stood before the Colosseum in Rome, I was completely overwhelmed. It wasn’t just the sheer scale of the structure, which photos can never truly capture. It was the weight of history that seemed to press in from all sides. My mind immediately flooded with questions. How could something this massive have been built without modern machinery? Who had the vision for it? But the most persistent question, the one that anchors all the others, was simply: When was the Colosseum built? A complete construction timeline from Vespasian to Domitian is the only way to truly appreciate this monument. It’s not a single date but a story of ambition, power, and engineering genius that unfolded over decades. Understanding this timeline transformed the ruin from a mere spectacle into a tangible piece of history I could almost touch.

Before the Arena: Understanding the Context for Answering 'When Was the Colosseum Built? A Complete Construction Timeline from Vespasian to Domitian'

To pinpoint when the Colosseum was built, one must first look at what stood on its grounds before. The story begins not with a construction site, but with the opulent and widely despised Domus Aurea, or "Golden House," of Emperor Nero. Following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, Nero seized a vast area in the city's heart to build his lavish private palace complex. At its center was an artificial lake, a testament to his self-indulgence.

When Nero fell from power in 68 AD, a tumultuous period known as the Year of the Four Emperors followed. Vespasian emerged as the victor in 69 AD, establishing the Flavian dynasty. His primary challenge was to restore stability and legitimacy after Nero's tyrannical reign and the subsequent civil war. One of his most brilliant political moves was to reclaim the land Nero had privatized for his Domus Aurea and return it to the people of Rome. He decided to drain the artificial lake and, in its place, build a grand public amphitheater for the masses. This act was a powerful symbol: where a tyrant had built a private luxury, the Flavians would provide public entertainment. This decision directly sets the stage for the construction of what we now call the Colosseum, then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre.

The Vespasian Era (70-79 AD): The Foundation of the Flavian Amphitheatre

The official start of the Colosseum's construction began under Emperor Vespasian around 70-72 AD. This marks the first and most significant phase in the answer to When was the Colosseum built? A complete construction timeline from Vespasian to Domitian. The project was a monumental undertaking, both in terms of engineering and finance.

### Funding a Monumental Project

A project of this magnitude required immense funding. Historical sources, including a reconstructed inscription from the Colosseum itself, suggest that the spoils of war were the primary source of capital. Specifically, treasures seized during the suppression of the Great Jewish Revolt in 70 AD, which culminated in the Sack of Jerusalem, were funneled into the Roman treasury and used to finance the amphitheater. This was a common Roman practice—using the riches of conquest to fund public works that glorified the emperor and the state. In this sense, the Colosseum was built on the foundations of military victory, a fact Vespasian would have wanted every Roman citizen to understand.

### Engineering and Labor

The engineering was revolutionary. Roman architects and engineers drained the lake and dug foundations 12 meters deep. They used a combination of materials that showcased their ingenuity. Travertine limestone, brought from quarries in nearby Tivoli, was used for the main pillars and the external facade. Tuff, a softer volcanic rock, was used for other pillars, while Roman concrete—a mixture of lime, volcanic ash (pozzolana), and rubble—was used for the vaults and foundations. This combination provided both strength and a degree of flexibility. The labor force was vast, likely comprising tens of thousands of prisoners of war, slaves, and skilled Roman craftsmen and engineers who orchestrated the complex logistics of the build.

By the time of Vespasian's death in 79 AD, the structure had reached the third story, and the main structural framework was largely in place. He had laid the groundwork, both literally and figuratively, for one of the greatest architectural achievements in history.

The Titus Era (79-81 AD): Inauguration and Expansion in the Colosseum's Construction Timeline

Following Vespasian's death, his son Titus took over. Eager to see his father's vision realized and to endear himself to the Roman populace, Titus swiftly moved to complete and inaugurate the amphitheater. This phase, though short, is critical to understanding the complete construction timeline. Although the building was not entirely finished—the top tier was still under construction—Titus declared it open with lavish inaugural games in 80 AD.

This event was a spectacle of epic proportions, lasting for 100 days. Roman historian Cassius Dio records that over 9,000 wild animals were killed during the games, and mock naval battles (naumachiae) were staged by flooding the arena floor. This highlights an important construction detail: the final, permanent underground structure known as the hypogeum had not yet been built, allowing the arena floor to be filled with water. Titus's contribution was to complete the third and fourth levels of seating and to formally dedicate the building, solidifying the Flavian legacy. His actions ensured that the project his father started became a celebrated reality, even before every last detail was perfected.

The Domitian Era (81-96 AD): The Final Touches in Answering 'When Was the Colosseum Built? A Complete Construction Timeline from Vespasian to Domitian'

The final phase of the original construction fell to Titus's younger brother, Domitian, who became emperor in 81 AD. His additions were less about the core structure and more about perfecting the building's functionality as an entertainment machine. Domitian's work represents the conclusion of the initial building period in When was the Colosseum built? A complete construction timeline from Vespasian to Domitian.

### The Hypogeum: The Underground Marvel

Domitian's most significant contribution was the construction of the hypogeum, a two-level subterranean network of tunnels, chambers, and cells beneath the arena floor. This elaborate backstage area housed gladiators, condemned prisoners, and animals before their appearance in the games. It featured a complex system of elevators and trapdoors—at least 80 vertical shafts—that allowed for dramatic entrances. Scenery, animals, and fighters could suddenly appear on the arena floor, creating stunning theatrical effects that captivated audiences. The construction of the hypogeum meant that flooding the arena for naval battles was no longer possible, but it vastly improved the complexity and spectacle of the gladiatorial contests and hunts.

### Finishing the Structure

Domitian also finished the uppermost tier of the Colosseum, which was reserved for the lower classes and women and consisted mainly of wooden seating. He also added the Summum Maenianum in Ligneis, a gallery at the very top of the amphitheater. Furthermore, he was responsible for building or completing many of the supporting structures around the Colosseum, including gladiatorial schools (ludi) and armories. With Domitian's additions, the Flavian Amphitheatre was finally complete in its intended form around 96 AD, nearly three decades after construction first began. The monumental project his father began was now a fully functional and unparalleled center of Roman entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

While the timeline provides a clear picture, some specific questions often arise about the Colosseum's construction.

### How long did it take to build the Colosseum?

The main construction of the Colosseum spanned approximately 10-12 years for its core structure and inauguration, from roughly 70/72 AD under Vespasian to its dedication by Titus in 80 AD. However, the final additions and modifications, most notably the hypogeum by Domitian, meant the entire project was not fully complete until around 96 AD. Therefore, the full initial construction period spanned over two decades under three different emperors.

### What primary materials were used in the Colosseum's construction?

The Romans used a strategic combination of materials. The outer facade and main load-bearing pillars were made from over 100,000 cubic meters of travertine limestone. Softer volcanic tuff stone and bricks were used for radial and inner walls. The true genius was their extensive use of Roman concrete for the vaults and foundations, a material that was strong, versatile, and relatively cheap, enabling the massive and complex vaulted archways and seating tiers.

### Who were the actual laborers that built the Colosseum?

There was no single group of builders. The workforce was a massive combination of professionals and forced labor. Highly skilled Roman engineers, architects, and craftsmen oversaw the design and specialized work. However, the immense task of quarrying stone, transporting materials, and performing the heavy manual labor was likely carried out by tens of thousands of slaves and prisoners of war, most notably a large number of captives from the Great Jewish Revolt.

Conclusion: The Complete Timeline of the Colosseum's Construction

So, to fully answer the question, When was the Colosseum built? A complete construction timeline from Vespasian to Domitian reveals it was not a singular event but a dynastic project spanning a quarter of a century. It began with Vespasian's vision around 70 AD, was largely completed and inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD, and was ultimately perfected with the addition of the hypogeum by his other son, Domitian, around 96 AD. Each emperor played a crucial role, building on the work of his predecessor to create the most famous amphitheater in history. This timeline transforms the Colosseum from a static ruin into a dynamic story of Flavian ambition, Roman engineering, and a powerful political statement set in stone, concrete, and travertine.

References

• Hopkins, Keith, and Mary Beard. The Colosseum. Harvard University Press, 2005.
• Claridge, Amanda. Rome: An Oxford Archaeological Guide. Oxford University Press, 2010.
• "Colosseum." HISTORY. A&E Television Networks, last updated August 21, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum
• "The Colosseum." National Geographic.