Rome’s Colosseum with Context: Its Games, Architecture, and History

For nearly 2,000 years, the Colosseum has echoed with the footsteps of emperors, gladiators, and plebeians alike. Join Dimo Kosmopoulos, archaeologist and Context Travel expert, in Rome’s most iconic arena, which was far more than a place to host games.

The tour starts on the slopes of Esquiline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome, where you can admire the Colosseum’s magnificent architecture from a distance while I tell you about its history.

As you enter the arena, you’ll get the chance to imagine yourself as a member of the senate, the working class – and even one of the gladiators. You’ll find out where each of these groups would enter, while you hear about the business behind the games, from how much gladiators were paid, to how much they cost.

Inside the Colosseum, you’ll learn about the political purpose of the events that took place here. Dimo will also tell you about the role of this building in the lives of ancient Romans, who shared modern-day society’s fascination with competition and pageantry. He’ll unpack the venue’s stunning logistics, with animal fights taking place in the morning and gladiator fights in the afternoon, as you live a day at the games.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Trace the Colosseum’s evolving spectacles over the years, including the flooding of the arena to stage naval wars
• Be amazed by stories of the Colosseum’s lengthy construction and find out what ancient Romans called this grand arena
• Discover the structure’s multiple layers and the ways in which it was used as an arena for at least 443 years
• Find out what happened when a Caesar took part in the games – did they really fight to the death?
• Learn about the many archaeological discoveries that were made here
• Hear about the similarities between ancient and modern-day sports spectators: both consume meat and alcohol during the games, draw graffiti, and pay more for good seats (which, in the Romans’ case, were made of marble)
• Discover Nero’s roots in the Colosseum and hear about the private man-made lake he had nearby
• See the Gladiators’ entrance and learn how the crowd could influence the decision of the Emperor and the judges by screaming their impression of the fight

Although we don’t yet know which great minds were behind this structure, by the end of this tour you’ll have a sense of why it’s an icon of the ancient and the modern world.

Keep in mind that you’re only permitted to enter a maximum of 10 minutes before or after the time shown on your ticket. Dimo will guide you on how to enter the Colosseum.

Please Note: This tour doesn’t include entry into the Colosseum.