Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

After Rome fell, the Colosseum was a palace, a castle, a bullring, a den of thieves, and a bustling neighborhood - sometimes at once.
Start your order with Peregrine Pendants today! Use the code TOLDINSTONE to save 15% on any purchase: peregrinependants.com

My new book, "Insane Emperors, Sunken Cities, and Earthquake Machines" is now available! Check it out here: amazon.com/Insane-Emperors-Sunken-Earthquake-Machines/dp/1633888932

Check out my other YouTube channels, @toldinstonefootnotes and @scenicroutestothepast

Please consider supporting toldinstone on Patreon:
patreon.com/toldinstone

If you're so inclined, you can follow me elsewhere on the web:
reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/profiles/toldinstone
instagram.com/toldinstone
goodreads.com/author/show/20993845.Garrett_Ryan

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:22 The last games
2:15 From arena to neighborhood
3:52 Stone robbing
4:35 From neighborhood to palace
5:19 Bullring and den of thieves
5:49 Peregrine Pendants
6:55 Renaissance pillaging
7:47 Early preservation efforts
8:46 Christian shrine
9:24 Tourist attraction