The Roman Colosseum is one of the most iconic monuments in the world — a symbol of imperial might, architectural genius, and the enduring legacy of ancient Rome. But while most people know it as the “Colosseum,” this iconic amphitheater has been called by many different names throughout its long and complex history. From its official imperial designation to colloquial nicknames and medieval misnomers, the names of the Colosseum reflect the layers of history, myth, and cultural evolution that have surrounded it for nearly two thousand years.
To understand why the Colosseum has so many names, it’s helpful to begin at the beginning — with the emperor who built it and the purpose it originally served.
When construction began in 72 AD under Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty, the building was not known as the “Colosseum” at all. Its official name was the Amphitheatrum Flavium, or Flavian Amphitheater, named after Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian, who completed the structure over the next decade. This name was used in imperial records and formal inscriptions. It aligned with a Roman tradition of naming large public works after the emperors who commissioned them. The Flavian Amphitheater could hold up to 50,000 spectators and was the largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman world — a fitting testament to the power and ambition of the Flavian dynasty.
Despite its formal name, everyday Romans likely referred to it simply as amphitheatrum, meaning amphitheater, as it was the centerpiece of Roman public entertainment. Over time, however, the more familiar name “Colosseum” began to take hold. But where did it come from?
The name “Colosseum” is believed to have emerged not from the amphitheater itself, but from a colossal statue that once stood nearby. During the reign of Emperor Nero, a massive bronze statue — the Colossus of Nero — was erected close to his opulent palace, the Domus Aurea. The statue was inspired by the Colossus of Rhodes and was said to be over 30 meters tall. After Nero’s death, his successors altered the statue’s features and repurposed it as a symbol of Sol, the sun god. The statue stood just outside the Flavian Amphitheater, and over time, Romans began to refer to the amphitheater as the place “by the colossus.” The term gradually evolved into Colosseum — a name that, by the medieval period, had fully supplanted the original “Flavian Amphitheater.”
Medieval texts often use the Latin “Colyseus” or “Coliseus,” which later evolved into the Italian Colosseo, the modern name used in Rome today. Interestingly, during the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was no longer used for gladiatorial combat or public spectacles. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the structure suffered damage from earthquakes and was stripped of materials for other building projects. It was even used at different times as a fortress, a Christian shrine, and a quarry. As its function changed, so did the cultural meanings associated with it — and new names emerged to reflect its ruined grandeur.
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By the early Christian era, some began to associate the Colosseum with martyrdom. There was a widespread belief, though historically unverified, that many early Christians had been killed in its arena. Because of this, the Colosseum gained spiritual significance, and some sources referred to it as a sacred site. This religious dimension added yet another layer to its identity, though it did not necessarily introduce a new formal name. Still, the association with Christian sacrifice contributed to efforts in later centuries to preserve the monument as a historical and religious relic.
In later centuries, poets and writers also coined their own names for the Colosseum, emphasizing its symbolic power. The English poet Lord Byron referred to it as “The Gladiator’s Bloody Circus,” while other travelers of the 18th and 19th centuries used terms like The Arena of Death, romanticizing its violent past and crumbling beauty.
The name “Colosseum” also evolved across languages. In English, it is often spelled with a double “s” — Colosseum — while in other contexts, especially older or American English, you might see Coliseum. This latter version has also become a generic term for large sports arenas and theaters around the world. Many modern stadiums borrow the word “Coliseum” as a tribute to the original structure in Rome, even if the spelling or pronunciation differs slightly.
Today, Italians refer to it as Il Colosseo, and the name is instantly recognized around the globe. Yet it’s important to remember that this name is an evolution — not the original title, but one layered with historical associations, cultural changes, and even a touch of medieval myth.
In sum, the Colosseum has worn many names over the centuries. From its imperial origins as the Amphitheatrum Flavium, to its popular association with Nero’s colossal statue, to its romanticized role in Christian legend and modern tourism, each name tells a different part of its story. The names of the Colosseum are more than just linguistic variations — they are windows into how each generation has viewed and reinterpreted this enduring monument. Whether you call it the Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseo, or simply the Colosseum, the legacy remains the same: a towering symbol of ancient Rome and a timeless icon of human history.
