Gladiators tended to be criminals, prisoners of war or slaves who were trained to fight in professional schools. As their fame increased, some men even volunteered for the job. Trained gladiators would often fight unskilled criminals and slaves as a form of public execution, though winning a fight against a gladiator could earn a slave his freedom.

Archaeological remains show that gladiators were often overweight, perhaps in order to build a layer of protective fat. They tended to eat a vegetarian diet of fresh vegetables, dried fruit, barley and beans to grow strong bones that would heal quickly.

Gladiators would fight barefoot in pairs for around ten minutes while the audience chanted like modern football crowds. A common chant was "habet, hoc habet” (he’s had it!). A defeated gladiator would raise a finger (if he had any left) and might be pardoned by the games’ sponsor.

In 107AD, the emperor Trajan celebrated a victory with a show that included 5000 pairs of gladiators – the largest contest known to history.

Opening times

• 8.30am-7.15pm – 30 March-31 August
• 8.30am-7.00pm – 1-30 September
• 8.30am-6.30pm – 1-30 October
• 8.30am-4.30pm – 31 October-15 February
• 8.30am-5.00pm – 16 February-15 March

Ticket office closes one hour before closing time

About the Colosseum

This massive 50,000-capacity amphitheatre was inaugurated in 80AD with games that lasted 100 days and cost the lives of over 5000 animals. Back then, you could get in for free, though seating arrangements were controlled with pieces of pottery indicating seat numbers. The poor, and women, sat on the upper tiers, while senators and equestrians had seats closer to the action – protected from flying weapons and body parts by a net.

Entertainment at the Colosseum was wild, to say the least. You’d see everything from boat battles to animal battles and gladiators squaring off against each other or unlucky slaves and prisoners. And while gladiators weren’t always fighting to their death – they were too valuable for that – it was still a pretty risky gig.

Today, the vast Colosseum easily swallows the thousands who visit, so it’s advisable to plan ahead, securing access before you go if you want to avoid big crowds. You can maximise your visit inside this stellar landmark by exploring with a guide or snagging access to special areas like the hypogeum or upper levels for a deeper dive into its epic history.

Experiences at the Colosseum often include access to the Forum and Palatine Hill, so planning your day is a smart move. Hit the busy spots early and save Palatine Hill for a more chilled-out afternoon visit. Even with the best plans, things might not run like clockwork, so just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.

Address

Piazza del Colosseo, Rome

Getting there

• By Metro
  • MEB, MEB1: Colosseo
• By Bus
  • 51, 75, 85, 87, 117,118, N2