Secrets of the Colosseum

[Krystal Coenen]

When Heinz-Jürgen Beste and a team of German and Italian archaeologists first began exploring the hypogeum in 1996, they were baffled by the intricacy and sheer size of its structures.

[Krystal Coenen]

By the early 19th century, the hypogeum’s floor lay buried under some 40 feet of earth, and all memory of its function—or even its existence—had been obliterated.

[Krystal Coenen]

After the last gladiatorial spectacles were held in the sixth century, Romans quarried stones from the Colosseum, which slowly succumbed to earthquakes and gravity.

[Krystal Coenen]

The Colosseum accommodated up to 50,000 spectators, who enjoyed delights including prizes tossed into the crowd, pastries and wine. Roman citizens sat according to their place in the social hierarchy.