In a recent statement from the Colosseum Archaeological Park, a secret tunnel once only used by Roman emperors has become available to the public for the first time ever.

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The underground tunnel starts outside of the amphitheater and leads directly to the imperial box. The tunnel wasn’t a part of the colosseum’s original build, which was completed around 80 CE, but was added sometime in the 1st century so emperors could avoid coming into contact with the Roman public. 

The tunnel was discovered in 1810 but wasn’t fully excavated until 1874. Thanks to recent restoration efforts, tourists can now see how lavish the tunnel was during antiquity. 

Under layers of dust and grime, excavators revealed marble-lined walls intricately designed with landscapes, mythological scenes - most notably the story of Dionysus, and carvings of bear fights, acrobats, and other forms of entertainment that took place in the Colosseum pit. 

The first events held in the Colosseum after its completion were known as the inaugural games (a fitting name, to be sure). These games lasted for 100 days, and included animal hunts, executions, and Rome's first-ever staged naval battles.

Titus (79-81 CE) was the first emperor to see the Colosseum in all its glory, as his father, Vespasian, died before the third story was completed. After Titus's passing, his brother Domitia added the hypogeum, the series of tunnels used to house the colosseum's slaves and animals, as well as a gallery to the top level of the structure. 50m. above on Unsplash

A City of Gold, to a City of Rust

While it was likely Domitian who created the emperor passage, the S-shaped hallway actually gets its name from Emperor Commodus (177-192 CE), who may have survived an attempt on his life while traveling through the corridor in 182 CE. 

This theory was popularized with the 2000 film Gladiator, which depicted Commodus as quite the villain. Not far from the truth, according to historical sources. He was well-known for his excessive cruelty, executing many civilians during his reign, including his own family members and advisors. He himself enjoyed fighting in the Colosseum dressed as the mythological hero, Hercules, while he left the intrigues of Roman politics to a highly corrupt administration. 

Commodus was actually assassinated on December 31, 192 CE, as a part of a conspiracy between his mistress, his wrestling partner, Narcissus, and other high-ranking officials. His strangulation came after a long series of assassination attempts, leaving the emperor quite paranoid by the end of his life. His death marked the end of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty, the Roman "Golden Age," and led to the chaotic Year of the Five Emperors.

The Colosseum's Downfall

After 120 years of spectacles, the Colosseum was severely damaged in 217 CE due to a major fire, and its use diminished from the second century onwards. Gladiator fights were banned at the turn of the 5th century, and a major earthquake did further damage in 443.

During the medieval period, the Colosseum underwent many changes. It was used as a chapel, cemetery, and as housing and workshop space, before being turned into a castle for the Frangipani family in 1200. When the Pope relocated to Avignon in the mid-14th century, Rome went with him, leaving the Colosseum abandoned. 

Of course, it's a popular tourist destination today. The Colosseum receives over 6 million visitors annually, making it the most popular tourist attraction in Italy and one of the most popular attractions worldwide. 

The passage is only open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 pm to 4 pm, and requires the purchase of a ticket from the official Colosseum Archaeological Park website.