Starting this summer, visitors to the Colosseum will be able to
see something really special: Original, painted decorations… and
graffiti. Like other ancient Roman buildings, the Colosseum
wasn’t just plain white (or gray). It was painted. Even though
archaeologists always knew this, they were only recently able to
determine the color. It turns out that the walls of the
ampitheatre were covered in red; travertine blocks were in red
and white; and some parts were blue, probably showing the sky or
a seascape. (Sure makes you picture it differently, doesn’t
it?). Not only that, but some pretty interesting graffiti was
discovered. It includes two phalluses—yes, you read that
right—probably inscribed after the fire of A.D. 217, since the
symbol was believed to ward off bad luck. Other graffiti is
written in admiration of the gladiators and their deeds. The
best part? All of this is going to be open to the public! Found
during a restoration of the third level, the gallery could be
open as early as next summer. But