How to Tour the Colosseum and Ancient Rome
The Colosseum, together with the Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Imperial Fora and the Markets of Trajan make up the ancient heart of the city and vividly illustrate the history and power of the ancient Roman republic (and then, empire). Enthusiasts of archaeology and ancient history make the ruins located in this area of the city a mandatory destination.
PLANNING YOUR TOUR
Here is some helpful information on the best way to visit the Colisseum, Forum and Palatine Hill.
Terrain and Temperature
The terrain of the area, especially on the Palatine Hill can be a bit uneven at times and will require a bit of climbing, in addition to lots of walking. Wear comfortable walking shoes and, for the summer, a hat is always a good idea. The summer sun can be quite harsh in the months of June, July and August so packing a supply of sun cream is essential. Try to find shade where possible, as most of the area is subject to direct sunlight and might become uncomfortable after an extended period of time.
Seasonal opening times
The Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill have a seasonal opening schedule. Please keep this in mind when scheduling a visit in the winter (late October through April). From April to August, opening hours are 9AM – 7:30PM. For winter months, sites begin to close around 5PM, with the ticket office closing one hour before the closure.
Arriving via public transportation
The archaeological heart of the city is extremely easy to access via public transportation. The “Colosseo” stop on the Metro B (blue) line is convenient for those arriving from Termini station.
For those arriving from the Spanish Steps/Pantheon/Piazza Navona area, the following buses all stop in the immediate vicinity of the Colisseum: 571, 87, 85, 60, 117.
RESOURCES
Open University Podcasts on Ancient Rome
Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma – The official city site with news, opening times and more. The English section does not work, but the site functions quite well if translated via Google.
Ancient Rome Comes to Google Earth
Damnatio Memoriae – Article by Context docent Katie Parla about legacy and memory in antiquity.
GLOSSARY
Stratigraphy – a branch of archaeological geology, the study of rock layers and layering
Barrel vault – architectural element formed by a single curve that extends along a given distance
Stucco -Â fine plaster used for coating wall surfaces or molding into architectural decorations
Column -Â an upright pillar, typically cylindrical and made of stone or concrete, supporting an entablature, arch, or other structure or standing alone as a monument
Pilaster -Â slightly-projecting column built into or applied to the face of a wall, most often rectangular in form
Monumental arch – an architectural style of arch built to celebrate a victory in war, but often used to celebrate a ruler
Porphyry -Â an igneous rock containing crystals, usually of feldspar, in a fine-grained, typically reddish composition
Travertine – a white or light-colored calcareous rock deposited from mineral springs, used as a building material
Basilica – an oblong building ending in a semicircular apse used in ancient Rome especially for a court of justice and place of public assembly
Tufa -Â a porous rock composed of calcium carbonate and formed by precipitation from water
ADDITIONAL READING
Oxford Archaeological Guides by Amanda Claridge
Oxford University Press 2010
The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus by Paul Zanker
Michigan University Press, 1998
Ancient City of Rome: The Archaeology of the Eternal City ed. John Coulston and Hazel Dodge
Oxford University 2000
Roman Life 100 B.C. to 200 A.D. by John R. Clarke
Abrams Books 2007
Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome by Chris Scarre
Penguin Books 1995
TIMELINE
753 B.C. – Foundation of Rome
753 B.C. – 510 B.C. – Regal period
270 B.C. -Â Overseas expansion begins
509 B.C. – 31 B.C. - Republican period
90 B.C. – 89 B.C. - Social wars
90 – 31 B.C. -Â Civil wars
March 15, 44 B.C. -Â Assassination of Caesar
31 B.C. -Â Battle of Actium
27 B.C. – 313 A.D. - Imperial period
c. 70 A.D. – 80 A.D. – construction of the Colosseum (listen to Context docent Valentina Follo discuss this monument on Smarthistory)
313 A.D. -Â Edict of Milan
315 A.D. – Arch of Constantine built (listen to Context docent Valentina Follo discuss this monument on Smarthistory)
324 A.D. - Byzantine Empire – (Constantine moves capital to Byzantium)
1453 A.D. -Â Fall of Constantinople
IMAGES
To help prepare you for your tour of ancient Rome we have inserted a selection of our most salient photography of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Trajan’s Markets.
