← Back to the archive★ Support my pages
DD-121Locationsalso HistoryFiled Last updated

The Colosseum

Short answer: The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre) in Rome was completed in AD 80 under Emperor Titus and could hold tens of thousands of spectators for gladiator fights and animal hunts. It had a velarium, a retractable awning of canvas or sailcloth that could shade much of the seating.

It was hung from ropes and masts set in brackets around the top of the outer wall; sailors specially enlisted from the Roman naval headquarters at Misenum and housed nearby worked it. Historians debate how it was rigged. The Colosseum is part of the Historic Centre of Rome World Heritage Site and was named one of the New 7 Wonders in 2007. The footage shows a reconstruction of the arena and its seating, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up4 sources

In collections:Engineering OdditiesPlaces With a Story

More like this★ Support my pagesCite this file

What should you know about The Colosseum?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The Colosseum was completed in AD 80.

    DD-121-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Completed in AD 80)

  2. Sailors from Misenum worked the velarium.

    DD-121-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit D (Navy sailors)

Video transcript: The Colosseum: Rome's Colosseum Had a Retractable Roof Made of Fabric

The Seven Wonders of the New World No. 6 DID YOU KNOW? the Roman Colosseum had a retractable awning known as the velarium. The velarium was a massive canvas or sail-like covering that could be pulled over the top of the amphitheater to provide shade for the spectators during events. This ingenious system consisted of a series of ropes and pulleys attached to masts on the upper levels of the Colosseum. The primary purpose of the velarium was to shield the audience from the sun and provide relief from the heat, creating a more comfortable environment for the tens of thousands of spectators attending events, such as gladiator contests and animal hunts. The velarium could be adjusted to different positions to control the amount of shade, showcasing the advanced engineering and architectural innovations employed in the construction of the Colosseum. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 42.9s Reel ·

Video coming soonThe Colosseum · Instagram Reel
The Colosseum: Rome's Colosseum Had a Retractable Roof Made of Fabric Instagram Reel · · 42.9s

The write-up

Rome's Colosseum had a retractable roof made of fabric. Sailors from the Roman navy at Misenum worked the awning.

  1. Exhibit A

    Completed in AD 80

    The Colosseum was completed in AD 80 under Emperor Titus.

  2. Exhibit B

    The velarium

    A retractable awning, the velarium, shaded much of the seating.

  3. Exhibit C

    Ropes and masts

    It hung from ropes and masts around the top of the outer wall.

  4. Exhibit D

    Navy sailors

    Sailors from the naval base at Misenum worked the awning.

  5. Exhibit E

    World Heritage

    It's part of the Historic Centre of Rome World Heritage Site.

Questions people ask about The Colosseum

When was the Colosseum completed?

Under Emperor Titus.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Completed in AD 80) · Wikipedia: Colosseum

What was the velarium?

It shaded the seating.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (The velarium) · Wikipedia: Colosseum; Wikipedia: Velarium

What held the velarium up?

Masts sat around the top wall.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ropes and masts) · Wikipedia: Colosseum; Wikipedia: Velarium

Who worked the velarium?

They were Roman navy crew.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Navy sailors) · Wikipedia: Colosseum

Which World Heritage Site includes it?

It was also named a New 7 Wonder.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Historic Centre of Rome; Wikipedia: New 7 Wonders of the World

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. When was the Colosseum completed?

    1. AD 80
    2. 500 BC
    3. AD 1200
    4. AD 30
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. AD 80 Under Emperor Titus. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Completed in AD 80) · Wikipedia: Colosseum

  2. What was the velarium?

    1. A retractable awning
    2. A water tank
    3. An elevator
    4. A gate
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A retractable awning It shaded the seating. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (The velarium) · Wikipedia: Colosseum; Wikipedia: Velarium

  3. What held the velarium up?

    1. Ropes and masts
    2. Stone arches
    3. Iron beams
    4. Hot air
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ropes and masts Masts sat around the top wall. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ropes and masts) · Wikipedia: Colosseum; Wikipedia: Velarium

  4. Who worked the velarium?

    1. Sailors from Misenum
    2. Gladiators
    3. Senators
    4. Farmers
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Sailors from Misenum They were Roman navy crew. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Navy sailors) · Wikipedia: Colosseum

  5. Which World Heritage Site includes it?

    1. Historic Centre of Rome
    2. Pompeii
    3. Vatican Gardens
    4. Ostia
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Historic Centre of Rome It was also named a New 7 Wonder. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (World Heritage) · UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Historic Centre of Rome; Wikipedia: New 7 Wonders of the World

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Colosseum." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-121, last updated Dec 14, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-colosseum/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-colosseum/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-121-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-colosseum/#DD-121-F01

Collection · Engineering Oddities Case file 22 of 29

Next in Collection · DD-323Dredging Up the...Ground? →

Collection · Places With a Story Case file 48 of 83

Next in Collection · DD-123Taj Mahal →