Roman Emperors & the Colosseum
Explore the imperial dynasty that built Rome’s greatest monument. From Vespasian’s vision to Commodus’s spectacles, discover how emperors shaped the Colosseum’s legacy.
The Flavian Dynasty (69-96 AD)
Vespasian
69-79 AD
Founded the Flavian dynasty and commissioned the Colosseum in 72 AD. Used spoils from the Jewish War to fund construction on the site of Nero’s Golden House.
- Started construction 72 AD
- Restored public favor
- Funded by war spoils
Titus
79-81 AD
Completed his father’s vision and inaugurated the Colosseum in 80 AD with 100 consecutive days of games featuring gladiators, animal hunts, and naval battles.
- Opened Colosseum 80 AD
- 100 days of games
- 9,000 animals killed
Domitian
81-96 AD
Completed final construction including the underground hypogeum system and added the upper gallery. Hosted elaborate games and expanded the Colosseum’s capabilities.
- Built hypogeum system
- Added upper gallery
- Expanded seating
The Flavian Legacy
The Flavian dynasty transformed Rome after the chaos of Nero’s reign and civil war. The Colosseum, originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre, was their gift to the Roman people – a symbol of restored stability and imperial generosity.
Vespasian’s Vision
Began construction in 72 AD to restore public favor and erase Nero’s legacy
Titus’s Triumph
Completed and inaugurated with the most spectacular games Rome had ever seen
Domitian’s Innovation
Added the underground system that made dramatic entrances and complex spectacles possible
The Flavian Dynasty (69-96 AD)
Builders of Rome’s greatest monument
Vespasian
Founder (69-79 AD)
The Pragmatic Builder
Emperor Vespasian rose to power after the Year of Four Emperors (69 AD), bringing stability to Rome after Nero’s chaotic reign. He commissioned the Colosseum in 72 AD on the site of Nero’s artificial lake, symbolically returning land to the Roman people. The project was funded by spoils from the Jewish War, including treasures from the Temple in Jerusalem. Vespasian’s goal was to restore public favor and demonstrate the Flavian dynasty’s commitment to the
people.
Started 72 AD
Flavian Dynasty Founder
Public Works Champion
Died 79 AD
Titus
Inaugurator (79-81 AD)
The People’s Emperor
Titus completed his father’s vision and inaugurated the Colosseum in 80 AD with 100 consecutive days of games. The opening celebrations were the most spectacular Rome had ever witnessed, featuring gladiatorial combat, exotic animal hunts, and even mock naval battles. Over 9,000 animals were killed during the inaugural games, showcasing the wealth and power of Rome. Despite his short reign, Titus was beloved by Romans for his generosity and the magnificent gift of the Colosseum.
Opened 80 AD
Beloved Emperor
Domitian
Completer (81-96 AD)
The Perfectionist
Domitian completed the final construction of the Colosseum, adding the crucial underground hypogeum system and the upper gallery seating. The hypogeum was a revolutionary two-level underground complex of tunnels and chambers that housed gladiators, animals, and stage equipment. This innovation allowed for dramatic entrances through 80 vertical shafts using sophisticated pulley systems. Domitian also hosted elaborate games and expanded the Colosseum’s entertainment capabilities, though his reign ended in assassination.
Built Hypogeum
Added Upper Gallery
Engineering Innovation
Assassinated 96 AD
The Flavian Achievement
The Flavian dynasty’s greatest legacy was the Colosseum – a monument that would define Roman civilization for millennia. Through three emperors and 24 years, they created the largest amphitheatre ever built, capable of hosting 50,000 spectators for the most spectacular entertainment the ancient world had ever seen. The Colosseum represented Roman engineering prowess, imperial generosity, and the power of public spectacle.
8 Years Construction
From groundbreaking to inauguration (72-80 AD)
50,000 Capacity
Largest amphitheatre in the Roman
Imperial Gift
Free entertainment for the Roman people
Imperial Tours & Experiences
Walk in the footsteps of Roman emperors
Weekend Skip-the-Line Pass
Last Minute Skip-the-Line
The Five Good Emperors (96-180 AD)
The golden age of Roman peace and prosperity
Nerva
96-98 AD
Restored stability after Domitian’s assassination
Trajan
98-117 AD
Expanded empire to greatest extent
Hadrian
117-138 AD
Built walls and consolidated borders
Antoninus Pius
138-161 AD
Peaceful reign of prosperity
Marcus Aurelius
161-180 AD
Philosopher emperor
The Good Emperors Era
- Wise Governance
The Five Good Emperors were chosen for merit rather than birth, creating a period of exceptional leadership. They maintained the Colosseum as a symbol of Roman power while focusing on broader imperial concerns.
- Economic Prosperity
Trade flourished, cities grew, and the empire reached its greatest territorial extent under Trajan. The Colosseum continued to host games funded by imperial wealth and provincial tributes.
- Military Success
These emperors successfully defended and expanded Roman borders. Military victories were celebrated with triumphal games at the Colosseum, featuring prisoners of war and exotic animals from conquered territories.
Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor (180-192 AD)
The emperor who fought in the Colosseum arena
Commodus
180-192 AD
Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, was one of Rome’s most controversial emperors. Unlike his philosopher father, Commodus was obsessed with gladiatorial combat and actually fought in the Colosseum arena himself – a shocking breach of imperial dignity that scandalized Roman society.
Arena Combatant
Fought as a gladiator in the Colosseum, claiming to be Hercules reborn
Animal Slayer
Killed hundreds of exotic animals in staged hunts to demonstrate his prowess
Assassination
Strangled in his bath in 192 AD, ending his tyrannical reign
Commodus’s Colosseum Spectacles
Staged Victories
Commodus fought in rigged matches where opponents were given blunted weapons or were already wounded. He never faced real danger but claimed hundreds of victories.
735 Recorded Fights
Enormous Fees
Charged the Roman treasury one million sesterces per
appearance in the arena, bankrupting the imperial
coffers to fund his obsession.
1M Sesterces/Fight
Public Scandal
Romans were horrified that their emperor would debase himself by fighting as a gladiator – an occupation reserved for slaves and criminals.
Imperial Disgrace
Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor (180-192 AD)
Rome’s most infamous emperor and the Colosseum
Commodus
180-192 AD
The Gladiator Emperor
Commodus was the son of Marcus Aurelius and one of Rome’s most controversial emperors. Obsessed with gladiatorial combat, he fought in the Colosseum arena himself – an unprecedented and shocking breach of imperial dignity. He claimed to be the reincarnation of Hercules and fought in over 700 staged matches, always with rigged outcomes. Commodus killed hundreds of exotic animals in the arena and charged the treasury one million sesterces per appearance. His behavior scandalized Roman society, as fighting as a gladiator was considered the lowest occupation, reserved for slaves and criminals. His reign marked the end of the Pax Romana and the beginning of Rome’s decline.
Hercules Obsession
Assassinated 192 AD
End of Golden Age
The Decline Begins
Commodus’s reign marked a turning point for Rome. His obsession with the Colosseum and gladiatorial combat, combined with his neglect of governance, began the empire’s long decline. After his assassination in 192 AD, Rome entered a period of civil war and instability. The Colosseum would continue to host games for centuries, but the golden age of Roman peace and prosperity had ended with the death of Marcus Aurelius and the madness of his son.
735 Arena Fights
Unprecedented for a Roman emperor
Imperial Scandal
Shocked and horrified Roman society
Assassination
Strangled in his bath, 192 AD
Colosseum Tickets & Access
Experience the monument that emperors built
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The Five Good Emperors (96-180 AD)
The golden age of Roman peace and prosperity
72 AD
Construction Started
Vespasian began building
80 AD
Grand Opening
Titus inaugurated with 100 days
107 AD
Trajan’s Games
123 days, 10,000 gladiators
192 AD
Commodus Killed
End of golden age
312 AD
Constantine Converts
Christianity becomes official
435 AD
Last Gladiators
Final gladiatorial games
523 AD
Last Animal Hunts
Games era ended
Today
7M+ Visitors
Most visited monument
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