# The Colosseum (DD-121)

> 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.

- Department: Locations (also History)
- First published: 2023-12-14
- Last updated: 2023-12-14
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-colosseum/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **2007**: The Colosseum is named one of the New 7 Wonders

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=the-colosseum

## Quick facts

- **DD-121-F01**: The Colosseum was completed in AD 80. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Completed in AD 80))_
- **DD-121-F02**: Sailors from Misenum worked the velarium. _(Write-up · Exhibit D (Navy sailors))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Completed in AD 80**: The Colosseum was completed in AD 80 under Emperor Titus.
2. **The velarium**: A retractable awning, the velarium, shaded much of the seating.
3. **Ropes and masts**: It hung from ropes and masts around the top of the outer wall.
4. **Navy sailors**: Sailors from the naval base at Misenum worked the awning.
5. **World Heritage**: It's part of the Historic Centre of Rome World Heritage Site.

## Related case files

- [Arch of Titus (DD-690)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/arch-of-titus/): I paired it with the arch next door, built for the same emperor
- [Cleo (DD-099)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/cleo/): I linked more of the Roman world she dealt with
- [Lighthouse of Alexandria (DD-104)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lighthouse-of-alexandria/): I paired it with another ancient feat of engineering
- [The First Roman Emperor (DD-213)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-first-roman-emperor/): I linked more ancient Rome
- [The Beast of Rome (DD-214)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-beast-of-rome/): I linked the arena built on the site of his palace grounds

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'No. 6': the New 7 Wonders aren't ranked; I read the number as his own series order.

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

- Duration: 42.9 s · Published: 2023-12-14
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C011T2tpZWV.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When was the Colosseum completed?**  
A: Under Emperor Titus. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Completed in AD 80) · Wikipedia: Colosseum)_

**Q: What was the velarium?**  
A: It shaded the seating. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (The velarium) · Wikipedia: Colosseum; Wikipedia: Velarium)_

**Q: What held the velarium up?**  
A: Masts sat around the top wall. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Ropes and masts) · Wikipedia: Colosseum; Wikipedia: Velarium)_

**Q: Who worked the velarium?**  
A: They were Roman navy crew. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Navy sailors) · Wikipedia: Colosseum)_

**Q: Which World Heritage Site includes it?**  
A: 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)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Colosseum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum)
- [Wikipedia: Velarium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velarium)
- [UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Historic Centre of Rome](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/91/)
- [Wikipedia: New 7 Wonders of the World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/