A once-secret passage in the Colosseum, known as the “Commodus Corridor”, has been opened to the public for the first time. The corridor is named after the infamous Roman emperor Commodus and historically allowed emperors to enter the arena discreetly, away from spectators.
Completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum’s secret passage was rediscovered in the 19th century and was linked to Commodus after historians noted he survived an assassination attempt through an underground tunnel.
“The connection was inevitable,” said archaeologist Barbara Nazzaro, who oversaw the restoration work prior to the corridor’s opening, speaking to Reuters.
The corridor features newly restored plaster decorations depicting mythological scenes, duels, and acrobatic performances within the arena, complementing the original marble walls.
