Inside the Colosseum's Passage of Commodus: A Journey Where Emperors Once Walked

Rome - Ekhbary News Agency

Unveiling the Passage of Commodus: A Window into the World of Roman Emperors Within the Colosseum

Rome, the Eternal City, has always been a nexus of history and civilization, with its very name evoking grandeur. At its heart stands the Colosseum, an enduring monument to Roman power and architectural genius. Now, a once-enigmatic section known as the Passage of Commodus has been unveiled to the public for the first time after extensive restoration. This significant development offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to retrace the steps of Roman emperors and explore the secret arteries of this iconic amphitheater.

Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, the Colosseum was far more than a mere venue for gladiatorial combat; it was a stage for spectacle and imperial projection. As Alexander Mariotti, a gladiatorial historian at the British Institute of Roman History, explains, Roman emperors effectively 'brought the world to their people.' Instead of requiring citizens to travel to distant lands like North Africa, India, or the German forests, the emperors curated a global experience within Rome itself. The Colosseum served as a colossal screen, showcasing diverse cultures and wonders without the need for arduous journeys, akin to how modern audiences experience the world through digital platforms.

The colossal structure's construction was initiated by Emperor Vespasian, strategically located near the 'Milliarium Aureum' – the Golden Milestone. This central point, considered the origin of all major Roman roads, underscored the Colosseum's significance as a focal point of imperial display. While Vespasian did not live to witness its completion, his son Titus continued the Flavian dynasty's legacy, inaugurating the massive amphitheater in 80 CE with an epic 100-day festival of games.

The Flavian Amphitheater hosted breathtaking spectacles, including elaborate naval battles enacted in a flooded arena, accompanied by the music of a full orchestra. Mariotti describes these events as 'utterly incredible' and a 'visual feast,' highlighting the Romans' mastery of engineering and entertainment. Beyond traditional combat, the Colosseum employed a sophisticated underground mechanical system to hoist performers, animals, and props onto the arena floor, creating dramatic entrances and effects reminiscent of modern cinematic illusions.

Perhaps most striking was the imperial presence within the arena itself, a departure from their usual vantage point in the 'pulvinar,' or imperial box. Emperor Commodus, notorious for his direct participation in gladiatorial contests and the inspiration for the antagonist in the film 'Gladiator,' is famously associated with this practice. Mariotti notes that emperors would utilize stunt doubles, with elaborate costumes and stagecraft creating the illusion of their presence – trees, tigers, and even the emperor himself appearing and disappearing as if by magic.

Today, the 'Passage of Commodus' invites visitors to step back into this rich history. This tunnel, utilized by emperors to access their privileged viewing areas, bears the name of Commodus, a ruler who seemingly relished being seen in the arena, adding a layer of historical irony to its rediscovery. The name gains further significance when considering its origins.

According to the ancient historian Cassius Dio, Commodus narrowly survived an assassination attempt within a dark corridor of the Colosseum during the latter half of the second century CE. While this passageway is theorized to be the site of that near-fatal event, definitive historical proof remains elusive. The tunnel was not part of the Colosseum's original architectural blueprint; it was constructed post-inauguration, around 100 CE. Its discovery dates back to the early 1800s, with excavations conducted in 1874.

The precise starting point of the passageway remains a historical enigma, although its connection to the imperial box is established. Theories suggest it may have linked to the gladiatorial barracks, facilitating emperor-fighter interactions before combat, or possibly extended to the Caelian Hill, a prominent Roman hill housing imperial structures. Currently, the ancient tunnel is intersected by Rome's modern sewer system.

While the external portions of the tunnel lay underground, the segment within the Colosseum itself was carved into the monument's formidable concrete foundations. Angelica Pujia, chief restorer at the Colosseum Archaeological Park, described it as a 'sort of hidden secret passage.' She emphasizes that the sheer difficulty of its construction, coupled with the necessity of diverting the amphitheater's original sewer system, indicates a strong imperial mandate for its creation.

Water ingress has consistently posed a significant challenge to the tunnel's conservation. The Colosseum's foundations, plunging 14 meters deep, are situated within and above a complex network of underground rivers and lakes. Intriguingly, historical records suggest the passage underwent multiple restorations even in antiquity, likely due to persistent water-related issues. Pujia posits that the water problem was probably a constant concern even during the Colosseum's active use.

"In antiquity, several times they had to work on the walls and they changed the wall veneering that was made with marble into a plaster decoration," Pujia explains. "And they put a sort of double wall meant to, exactly like we do today, keep humidity away from the outer part of the walls." This reflects an early understanding of moisture control techniques.

The tunnel, much like the rest of the Colosseum, would have been adorned with lavish decorations. Initially, its walls likely featured marble veneers, as evidenced by the surviving metal clamps that once secured them. Later, these marble surfaces were replaced or augmented with intricate frescos. Pujia points out these remnants, illustrating the changing decorative phases.

At first glance, the accessible portion of the Passage of Commodus may appear unassuming today, especially when contrasted with Rome's more ostentatious architectural marvels. The dominant hue is grey, and original decorations are scarce. However, with a touch of imagination, and the profound realization that one is walking in the very footsteps of emperors, a sense of awe is readily rekindled. Visitors can observe the enduring traces of a fresco, noting faint horizontal stripes and hints of green leaves – a subtle yet moving testament to the past.

The certainty that emperors once passed these very decorations, perhaps even contemplated them, is incredibly evocative. Furthermore, this fresco fragment represents one of the Colosseum's few surviving examples. Pujia refers to these decorative elements as the monument's 'skin,' of which lamentably little remains. "We're missing the skin. We're not missing, today, the imposing beauty of this building. But we're missing [...] its details, its decorations," she states, underscoring the importance of preserving these fragile remnants.

Within the tunnel, these remnants include stucco depictions of amphitheater shows featuring humans and animals, alongside fragments of the ceiling. One section of the ceiling bears small holes, once embedded with metal or glass ornaments, possibly representing plaster flowers. These details offer glimpses into the original splendor.

Between October 2024 and September 2025, Pujia and her expert team undertook the restoration of the section now open to the public. The task was formidable; the plaster was so degraded by water and pollution that laser technology, applied without direct contact, was the only viable cleaning method. The team also reinforced the plaster and installed a lighting system designed to replicate both the cool daylight filtering through ceiling openings and the warm glow of torches or oil lamps that might have illuminated the passage.

The subterranean section of the passage remains sealed behind a glass door, awaiting its own restoration phase, slated to begin in the coming months. This ongoing work promises to reveal even more of the Colosseum's lost 'skin' to the public.

Contemplating the emperor's experience, Kathleen Coleman, a Classics professor at Harvard University, highlights what he would have witnessed upon emerging from the tunnel into the pulvinar. Beyond the arena's events, "It was a spectacle where the Roman people were present in all their categories," she explains, emphasizing the Colosseum's role as a microcosm of Roman society, gathering citizens from every stratum.

Ekhbary News Agency