Before I even arrived, I always wanted to see the detail of the area where the gladiators, slaves, and animals in the lower levels were held until they were brought to the main area. That area is closed off to the public.
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One of the information placards mentioned that even the entertainers (magicians, jugglers, dancers, etc) were killed immediately after they performed. At some other part in history, the floor was flooded for pretend naval battles.
Earlier in this story I mentioned the steepness of Rome. Here is one example of the steepness. Even though the Coliseum is in a relatively flat area, the steps to climb from the street level up to the second level are quite steep.
There are only a few step areas to ascend to the second level. As you can see, the ones on the "outside" are fenced off to the public. The ones used are actually near the outer walls on the "inside." It may be easier to say they are "underneath" the first level "seating area." They are easy to miss even when you are specifically looking for them. Once you climb their royal steepness's, what you see makes it worth the cardiac workout.
If you were a lowly commoner in the days of the Roman Empire, you would be climbing all the way up to peanut heaven for your seat.
If you look closely in the bottom right corner of the above picture, you will see a cross.
On the "inside" area of the second level, the area that is behind the seating, there is a "museum." You will see it simply by walking around the outside rim of the second level. It covers much of the second level perimeter. There are artifacts, pottery, statues, paintings, etc. which are a sight to see. You can easily spend 90 minutes to 2 hours by walking around the Coliseum.
Go to page 7 - The Coliseum Part 1. Go to page 8a - Other Pictures from the Coliseum area.
Jump ahead 10 pages to Page 18 - Vatican Plaza.