Timeline of the Colosseum
264 B.C. Gladiators fight at a funeral of Decimus Brutus Pera, marking the first known Roman gladiator games.
90 Gladiator games are being staged in Rome in circuses and forums.
80 The earliest permanent amphitheater known to historians is constructed in Pompeii.
73 Spartacus and his followers escape from a gladiator school. They survive numerous attacks from soldiers sent to capture them before Spartacus is killed in 71 B.C.
29 Titus Statilius builds Rome's first amphitheater.
50 A.D. Christianity begins to take hold in the Roman Empire.
54 Nero comes to power.
64 A great fire starts in the Circus Maximus and ravages Rome for six days.
67 Nero's Golden House is completed.
68 The year of the Four Emperors. Hero commits suicide and Galba takes power. Galba is overthrown by Otho, who, in turn, is overthrown by Vitellius.
69 Vespasian is proclaimed emperor on December 20.
75 Construction on the Flavian Amphitheater begins.
79 Though construction on the amphitheater in not quite finished, Vespasian dedicates it. He dies on June 23, and Titus becomes emperor. Near Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius erupts.
80 Titus opens the Flavian Amphitheater with a gala one-hundred-day celebration, including venations, gladiator games, and a naval battle.
81 Titus dies of a fever in September, Domitian becomes emperor.
96 Domitian is murdered, and the Flavian dynasty (ruling family) ends.
177-192 The reign of Commodus, who fought in the Flavian Amphitheater as a gladiator.
217 Much of the Flavian Amphitheater is destroyed after it is struck by lightning and burns.
222 The amphitheater is reopened after some restoration.
249 Decius becomes emperor and kill Christians in the amphitheater.
326 Constatine bans gladiator games, but because of their popularity they continue to be held illegally in some parts of the Roman Empire.
330 The capital of the Roman Empire is moved to Constantinople (Istanbul in modern-day Turkey). By the end of the century, the empire has been divided in the West Roman Empire and the East Roman Empire.
408-410 The Visigoths take control of Rome, badly damaging the Flavian Amphitheater during their conquest and occupation of the city.
416 The Romans drive out the Visigoths.
455 Invaders called the Vandals sack Rome.
472 The Vandals sack the Rome a second time.
476 The West Roman Empire is conquered by Odoacer.
484 or 508 A massive earthquake, known as abominandus, hits Rome and devastates the Flavian Amphitheater. Officials rebuild it enough to hold a small crown for games.
523 The last known games are held in the amphitheater.
90 Gladiator games are being staged in Rome in circuses and forums.
80 The earliest permanent amphitheater known to historians is constructed in Pompeii.
73 Spartacus and his followers escape from a gladiator school. They survive numerous attacks from soldiers sent to capture them before Spartacus is killed in 71 B.C.
29 Titus Statilius builds Rome's first amphitheater.
50 A.D. Christianity begins to take hold in the Roman Empire.
54 Nero comes to power.
64 A great fire starts in the Circus Maximus and ravages Rome for six days.
67 Nero's Golden House is completed.
68 The year of the Four Emperors. Hero commits suicide and Galba takes power. Galba is overthrown by Otho, who, in turn, is overthrown by Vitellius.
69 Vespasian is proclaimed emperor on December 20.
75 Construction on the Flavian Amphitheater begins.
79 Though construction on the amphitheater in not quite finished, Vespasian dedicates it. He dies on June 23, and Titus becomes emperor. Near Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius erupts.
80 Titus opens the Flavian Amphitheater with a gala one-hundred-day celebration, including venations, gladiator games, and a naval battle.
81 Titus dies of a fever in September, Domitian becomes emperor.
96 Domitian is murdered, and the Flavian dynasty (ruling family) ends.
177-192 The reign of Commodus, who fought in the Flavian Amphitheater as a gladiator.
217 Much of the Flavian Amphitheater is destroyed after it is struck by lightning and burns.
222 The amphitheater is reopened after some restoration.
249 Decius becomes emperor and kill Christians in the amphitheater.
326 Constatine bans gladiator games, but because of their popularity they continue to be held illegally in some parts of the Roman Empire.
330 The capital of the Roman Empire is moved to Constantinople (Istanbul in modern-day Turkey). By the end of the century, the empire has been divided in the West Roman Empire and the East Roman Empire.
408-410 The Visigoths take control of Rome, badly damaging the Flavian Amphitheater during their conquest and occupation of the city.
416 The Romans drive out the Visigoths.
455 Invaders called the Vandals sack Rome.
472 The Vandals sack the Rome a second time.
476 The West Roman Empire is conquered by Odoacer.
484 or 508 A massive earthquake, known as abominandus, hits Rome and devastates the Flavian Amphitheater. Officials rebuild it enough to hold a small crown for games.
523 The last known games are held in the amphitheater.
