To understand the construction of the Colosseum, we must first go back in time and imagine the political landscape of Rome in the first century AD. At that time, the city was experiencing a phase of great transformations. The emperor who ordered the construction of the amphitheater was Vespasian, founder of the Flavian dynasty. He assumed power at a delicate time, after a period of instability known as the year of the four emperors. Rome needed order, stability and, above all, symbols that showed that the empire remained strong and great. It was in this context that the dream of building a monumental amphitheater, unlike anything that had ever existed in the world, emerged. This project was not just an architectural work, it was also a political strategy. By building the Colosseum, Vespasian wanted to win the hearts of the Roman people. He needed to show that he governed not only for the elite, but also for the multitudes who lived on the streets and in the city's overcrowded neighborhoods. The location chosen for the work had a special meaning. The Colosseum was built where the Emperor Nero's luxurious palace called Domosa Aureia or Golden House once stood. Nero was remembered for his extravagance and the contempt he showed for the people. His enormous residence occupied a space that should have been public, a true insult to the citizens of Rome. Vespasian, by ordering the construction of the Colosseum in this very place, conveyed a clear message. was giving the space back to the people. What was once a symbol of an emperor's arrogance was now transformed into a monument accessible to the public. The coliseum, or the Flavian amphitheater as it was officially called, was designed to be gigantic. It could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, impressive numbers even by today's standards. This showed that Rome was capable of gathering crowds in a single space, offering shows that mixed entertainment, religion and political propaganda. Every game, every gladiatorial combat, every public execution had a dual purpose: to entertain the people and, at the same time, to reinforce the idea that the empire was invincible. It is important to understand that for the Romans, works like the Colosseum were more than just buildings, they were tools of power. The poor people received bread and spectacles while the emperors gained support and legitimacy. This system became known as bread and circuses. Panen etsircenses. An expression that shows how Roman rulers used entertainment as a way to keep the people satisfied and avoid revolts. The dream of the Colosseum, therefore, was born not only from the desire to build an engineering marvel, but from the need to show that Rome was eternal and that the new emperor was in tune with his people. It was as if every stone placed in that work said: "The empire is stronger than ever." The construction of the Colosseum also had another symbolic meaning. It was financed with resources obtained after the conquest of Judea, in the year 70 AD, during the Jewish-Roman war. The sack of Jerusalem and the taking of the temple yielded an enormous fortune and part of this money was used to finance the project. This shows how the Colosseum was also a monument to Rome's military victory, a constant reminder of imperial power over conquered peoples. Ultimately, Vespasian's dream was to build something that would outlive him. The emperor died before seeing the work completed and it was his son Titus who inaugurated the Colosseum in the year 80 AD, with 100 consecutive days of games. But Vespasian's legacy remained. He was responsible for transforming a plot of land marked by Nero's arrogance into a public space that would become a symbol of Rome's greatness. Thus, the Colosseum was not born just as a building made of stone and concrete. It was born as a political project, a promise of eternity and a way of telling the people that Rome was invincible. And perhaps that is why, even today, when we look at its ruins, we feel not only the strength of Roman engineering, but also the ambition of an empire that dreamed of being eternal. If the Colosseum still impresses today with its grandeur, it is important to remember that behind every stone, every arch and every wall erected, there was the effort of thousands of men. Unlike modern constructions that rely on machines, motorized cranes, and computers, the Romans built this colossus using essentially human strength, ingenuity, and an organization that still amazes historians. Construction of the amphitheater began during the reign of Vespasian around the year 72 AD. Crist and it took about 8 years until its inauguration during the reign of his son Titus, in 80. To carry out a work of this size in such a short time, considering the standards of antiquity, it was necessary to mobilize a gigantic human contingent. It is estimated that tens of thousands of workers were directly or indirectly involved in the project. Among these men were enslaved people, prisoners of war, skilled artisans, and free indentured laborers. Many of the enslaved came from the war against the Jews when Rome conquered Jerusalem in 70 AD. The sacking of the temple and the Jewish defeat not only financed the work, but also provided the forced labor that helped build it. For the Romans, this was symbolic. The building itself became a monument to the imperial victory over rebellious peoples. The work was hard and dangerous. Imagine lifting blocks of stone weighing several tons without the help of modern cranes. The Romans used systems of holdanas, winches and wooden scaffolding that required the strength of dozens of men to lift a single piece. In addition, there were transportation logistics. Stones and marbles were brought from various regions, some hundreds of kilometers away. Granite columns came from Egypt , refined marble from Greece, and limestone and travertine blocks from Italy itself. Transportation to Rome involved carts, pack animals, and even river barges sailing down the Tiber River. But it wasn't just brute force, there were also highly skilled workers. Experienced craftsmen took care of the carving of columns, capitals and decorative details. Roman engineers organized the construction site in an almost military manner. They divided men into groups with specific functions. Some worked on the foundations, others on the external walls, others on the internal finishing. This organization into sectors allowed several parts to be erected at the same time, speeding up the process. The lives of workers, especially enslaved people, were hard. Many suffered from exhaustion, accidents and poor food conditions. The project was gigantic and the pace needed to be fast, as the coliseum was seen as a political priority. Vespasiano wanted to show results in his lifetime and, therefore, there was pressure to complete the construction. Still, it is impressive to think that a work of this magnitude was built in less than a decade, when medieval cathedrals, for example, took centuries to complete. The Colosseum, therefore, is also a monument to human strength, but a strength that is exploited and often invisible. When tourists walk through its stands and corridors today, few remember the suffering of those who erected each stone. Behind the glory of the empire there was sweat, pain and discipline. This collective effort, however, also shows the Roman capacity for organization. The empire knew how to mobilize resources, plan works on a gigantic scale, and coordinate thousands of people on a single project. This ability to combine human strength and technical planning was one of the secrets that made Rome so enduring. Ultimately, the coliseum is not just the result of ingenious calculations and resistant materials. It is also the result of the hard work of thousands of men, some remembered as engineers and architects, others forgotten as slaves. It is this mixture of genius and suffering that makes the Colosseum not only an architectural marvel, but also a testament to the complexity of human history. When we look at the ruins of the Colosseum, it is natural to ask: How does a building built almost 2,000 years ago still stand, even after earthquakes, wars and abandonment? The answer lies in the materials used by the Romans and the clever way in which they were applied. The secret to the coliseum's durability lies not only in the size of the stones, but above all in the use of a special concrete that continues to be studied to this day. The base of the building was made mainly of Travertine, a limestone extracted from the quarries of Tivoli, about 30 km from Rome. This material was abundant in the region and had the advantage of being strong and relatively easy to cut into regular blocks. These huge blocks of travertine, some weighing several tons, were joined together by iron clamps. This created a solid structure, capable of withstanding the forces that the building would exert over the centuries. But the Romans didn't limit themselves to travertine. For the interior walls and underground corridors, they used a mixture of volcanic tuff and bricks. These materials were lighter and allowed for rapid construction. The combined use of heavy stone in the structural parts and lighter materials in the interiors shows how Roman engineers knew how to balance strength and practicality. The most impressive point, however, was the use of Roman concrete made with the famous Polana, the volcanic ash found in abundance around Naples and Vesuvius, when mixed with quicklime, water and stones, this ash gave rise to a concrete of extraordinary quality. Unlike modern concrete, which tends to degrade over time, Roman concrete continues to react chemically, even centuries after hardening. This makes it become stronger over time, rather than more fragile. This concrete was used extensively in the coliseum, especially in the foundations and vaults that supported the stands. An interesting detail is that the Romans varied the composition of the mixture as needed. In the lower parts, where the weight was greater, they used heavy stones mixed with concrete. In the upper parts, where it was necessary to lighten the weight, lighter stones were added , such as pumice stone. This adaptation ensured that the construction had not only resistance, but also stability. Furthermore, the Colosseum had a very well-planned drainage system. It rains in Rome for much of the year and if the water were to accumulate it could damage the structure. To prevent this, engineers created underground tunnels and channels that allowed for efficient drainage. Many of these canals are still preserved, which shows the quality of the planning. Another curious detail is the use of lead and iron. Metal clamps were placed between the stone blocks to join them together. Although many of these staples were removed throughout the Middle Ages, as iron was valuable and was reused, the structure remained standing, which shows the efficiency of the original system. The contrast with modern concrete is striking. Today, many bridges, viaducts and buildings need renovation every few decades, as reinforced concrete wears out, especially when in contact with water and pollution. The coliseum, almost 2000 years old, is still standing strong. Researchers at universities like MIT have been studying samples of this Roman concrete to try to understand its exact formula and adapt it to modern construction. What they discover is fascinating. The small cracks that appear over time end up being healed by the material itself, thanks to chemical reactions between the lime and the infiltrated water. In other words, Roman concrete has a self-repairing capacity that ours has not yet been able to reproduce efficiently. This genius in the use of materials is one of the reasons why the coliseum is still standing. It's not just about luck or good conservation. The Romans really knew what they were doing. They designed a structure capable of withstanding not only time, but also intense use by crowds, earthquakes, and changes in use over the centuries. Therefore, every time someone walks through the Colosseum, they are stepping on a true lesson in ancient engineering. Stones and concrete are not just remnants of the past, they are living witnesses of how the Romans, with practical knowledge and experimentation, managed to create something that modernity still tries to match. The coliseum is not just a pile of ancient stones. He is, above all, an engineering prodigy. When we look at its walls, corridors and stands, it is hard to believe that all of it was built almost 2,000 years ago, without computers, without modern machines and without the resources we use today in large projects. Even so, Roman engineers managed to build a gigantic, functional and resistant structure, which remains standing even after centuries of natural and human wear and tear . One of the Colosseum's greatest secrets lies in the use of arches and vaults. To understand, just imagine that raising straight, heavy walls on a large scale would be very difficult and unstable. The arch, on the other hand, distributes weight evenly sideways and downwards, allowing much larger buildings to be erected without collapsing. This technique, mastered by the Romans, was applied to practically the entire amphitheater, in the entrances, passages, internal corridors and even in the system that supported the stands. Thanks to this, the Colosseum could safely hold tens of thousands of people . It is estimated that between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators could watch the games at the same time. To support this crowd, not only a solid structure was needed, but also efficient circulation. And this is where Roman engineering shows its genius. The coliseum had 80 numbered entrances that allowed the public to enter and exit in a matter of minutes. The internal corridors were designed in the form of an organized labyrinth, today known by the Latin term vomitoria, which comes from the verb vomere, to throw out. The idea was precisely that, to allow a huge mass of people to leave quickly after the shows without any commotion. This principle continues to be used today in modern stadiums. Another impressive aspect is the Ipogeu, the underground part of the Colosseum, built a few years after its inauguration. This complex of tunnels and chambers served as the backstage of the amphitheater. There were gladiators, wild animals, scenery and equipment that were raised to the arena by means of elevators moved by pulleys and human power. Imagine the scene. Suddenly, a lion appeared in the arena as if it had come out of nowhere. It was a spectacle not only of combat, but also of special effects, the result of the engineering behind the scenes. The Romans also mastered the art of lifting gigantic stones using wooden cranes. These cranes operated with systems of ropes, pulleys and wheels turned by men or animals. With them it was possible to lift blocks weighing several tons to great heights. The combination of human strength and simple mechanism allowed huge walls to be erected with precision. Another admirable detail was the weight planning. The engineers knew that the lower part needed to support the weight of the entire structure and the crowd. Therefore, they used travertine blocks and denser concrete at the base, while the upper parts received lighter materials, such as pumice stone. This variation reduced the risk of collapse and gave the coliseum stability over the centuries. In addition to structural strength, the coliseum also had comfort features. One of them was the velarium, a type of covering made of large canvases attached to masts. This system, operated by sailors in the Roman fleet, could be extended to protect the audience from the sun during shows. Imagine the challenge of partially covering such a vast space with manually controlled ropes and tarps , so that the audience would be more comfortable. Once again, the Romans proved that they knew how to combine utility and grandeur. It is for all this that the Colosseum is called a work of engineering beyond imagination. It was not only built to be large, but to be functional, safe and capable of impressing any onlooker. It was a perfect propaganda and spectacle machine, where every detail had a purpose, from the arch that supported the walls to the underground tunnel that made gladiators and beasts appear before the crowd. When we think that all this was done without modern technology, the admiration only grows. The coliseum is living proof that human genius, combined with organization and vision, can achieve feats that span the centuries. It is no exaggeration to say that in his time he represented the pinnacle of world engineering. And perhaps that is why even today, when we walk through its corridors, we feel that we are before something that transcends time, a monument that continues to teach, inspire and challenge our own idea of progress. The secret strategy of durability. When we think of the Colosseum, the question that always comes up is: how can such a gigantic building, exposed to almost 2,000 years of wind, rain, sun, earthquakes, and even wars, still stand ? Many modern buildings made with advanced technology begin to crack and deteriorate within a few decades. The Colosseum, despite having lost part of its facade and suffered looting throughout the Middle Ages, remains imposing. What was the secret strategy that ensured its durability? The answer lies in a combination of factors: well- chosen materials, careful planning, and techniques that still impress engineers today. The first secret was the deep foundation. The Colosseum was built on the site of the former artificial lake of Nero's palace. Before beginning work, the Romans drained the area and created a solid concrete base about 12 m deep. This foundation acted as an anchor that held the entire building firm against subsidence and cracks. To this day, much of the coliseum's stability is due to this invisible foundation. Another essential factor was the drainage system. Rome is a city that suffers from heavy rains at certain times of the year and the accumulated water could compromise the structure. To prevent this, engineers created underground channels that collected and drained water from the arena and surrounding areas. Careful drainage ensured that water never accumulated excessively, preserving the foundations. This detail shows how the Romans thought long-term, foreseeing problems and creating solutions before they even happened. But perhaps the biggest secret lies in the Roman concrete itself , already mentioned above. It was mixed with posolana, a volcanic ash that made the material harden in a unique way and better resist the wear and tear of time. The most impressive thing is that this concrete had the ability to self-heal. When small cracks appeared, the chemical reaction of the lime with the infiltrated water naturally closed the crack, reinforcing the material. That is why over the centuries the coliseum did not fall into ruins like so many other buildings. Furthermore, the Romans were clever in their combined use of materials. The heaviest stones , such as travertine, were placed in areas that required more support. In the upper parts, where the weight could compromise stability, they used lighter stones, such as volcanic tuff and pumice. This strategic distribution reduced pressure on the bases, keeping the structure balanced. Another aspect of durability is in the architectural form itself . The coliseum was built in an oval shape, which helped to better distribute forces. Instead of concentrating the weight in single points, the curved shape spread the pressure evenly. This seemingly aesthetic choice is actually one of the biggest reasons for its resistance. Even the damage it has suffered throughout history has not taken away its grandeur. In the 5th century, part of its structure was destroyed by earthquakes. Later, during the Middle Ages, many stone blocks were removed and reused in other buildings in Rome, including churches and palaces. Still, the Colosseum endured, showing that its foundation and construction techniques were strong enough to withstand centuries of neglect and human destruction. The true secret strategy of the Romans, therefore, was not a single miraculous trick, but the sum of intelligent choices. They considered the terrain, prepared solid foundations, planned drainage, varied materials as needed, and used architectural forms that favored resistance. In other words, the secret was long-term vision. While many modern builders think of projects that will last a few decades, the Romans built for eternity. The coliseum is proof of this. A work created not only to impress at its inauguration, but to span generations and remain a symbol of Rome's greatness. And so, two millennia later, its presence standing is the greatest confirmation that the Romans' strategy of durability worked. Those who walk through its stands don't just see ancient stones, they see the wisdom of engineers who, without machines, created something that still defies time. When we look at the Colosseum today, amid the bustling city of Rome, it is impossible not to feel that it is much more than an ancient ruin. The amphitheater has not only survived as a witness to a distant past, but has become a universal symbol of resilience, human ingenuity, and cultural identity. His legacy has spanned empires, religions and centuries, reaching us as an enigma that still fascinates and impresses. Since its inauguration in the year 80 AD, the Colosseum has been the stage for shows that have marked the collective memory of the Roman people. Gladiators, wild animals, staged battles and public executions transformed the arena into a veritable theater of life and death. For the citizens of Rome, participating in these events was more than just leisure, it was about feeling part of the power and greatness of the empire. This function of uniting politics, religion and entertainment made the Colosseum a central piece of Roman culture. But his legacy was not restricted to antiquity. Throughout the Middle Ages, even though it was partially damaged by earthquakes and used as a quarry, when blocks of stone were removed to build churches and palaces, the Colosseum never ceased to be a landmark. His imposing presence in the heart of Rome reminded everyone of the glory of the past. Even though mutilated, it was impossible to ignore its greatness. Over the centuries, the Colosseum also gained new meanings. For the Catholic Church it became a symbol of Christian martyrs, although many scholars today debate to what extent this association is historical or more symbolic. In the 19th century, popes began to hold religious ceremonies there and to this day Good Friday crusades are celebrated before its walls. Thus, the pagan amphitheater was reinterpreted as a space of Christian faith, demonstrating its incredible capacity for cultural adaptation. In the field of architecture, the coliseum inspired generations of builders. From the Renaissance onwards, scholars and architects such as Brunelesque and Michelangelo carefully analyzed it to design domes and buildings that still mark the skyline of Europe today. Later, its influence crossed the ocean. Buildings such as the United States Capitol or the Pantheon in Paris drew directly from Roman aesthetics and engineering. Even modern stadiums, with their oval stands and public circulation systems, are heirs to the Colosseum's visionary design . Another striking aspect of the legacy is the emotional impact the building continues to exert. Millions of tourists visit the Colosseum every year, coming from all over the world. Entering through its arches, walking through its passages and seeing the arena, people are not just looking at ancient stones, they are looking at a monument that carries almost two millennia of human history. This contact awakens feelings of admiration, respect and even reflection on the limits of our own civilization. More than a symbol of ancient Rome, the Colosseum became a symbol of the very idea of eternity. He reminds us that empires may fall, but certain human works remain standing. It shows that people with limited resources, but with vision and organization, were able to create something that still challenges our concept of progress. Therefore, the Colosseum is not just a tourist attraction, it is an invitation to humility and inspiration. Humility because it reminds us that the past still holds secrets that we cannot equal. Inspiration, because it proves that human ingenuity is capable of leaving marks that span generations. Thus, the legacy of the Colosseum is not only in what we see, but in what we feel and learn from it. It continues to impress not because it is old, but because it is eternal in its meaning. A monument that, even though damaged by time, remains standing as a testament to the human capacity to dream big and to transform that dream into stone, concrete and history. Yeah.