Rome, October 13 (V7N) — The historic underground tunnel of the Roman Empire, known as the ‘Commodus Passage’, has been opened to the public for the first time in Italy. Once used by Roman emperors to secretly access the Colosseum, this tunnel allowed them to watch gladiatorial battles away from public view.

According to historians, the notorious Emperor Commodus—known for his arrogance, excesses, and brutality—used to sit inside this very passage to enjoy the deadly gladiator combats that took place above in the Colosseum arena. The tunnel has now been named after him, reflecting his infamy and connection to this hidden imperial retreat.

Archaeologist Barbara Nazzaro explained that the passage was not part of the Colosseum’s original design. It was built later, between the late first and early second century AD, allowing emperors to reach the Colosseum privately and avoid direct contact with ordinary citizens. “It was a challenging construction,” she said. “This underground corridor enabled the emperor to enter unseen, and it is now being opened to the public for the first time.”

The ‘Commodus Passage’ was rediscovered in the late 19th century, and researchers believe that Emperor Commodus was the target of an assassination attempt within its walls.

Once adorned with gleaming marble, plastered surfaces, and painted frescoes, the tunnel’s walls and ceilings depicted mythological scenes, natural landscapes, and gladiatorial combats. The entrance was intricately decorated with carvings of gladiators, bear fights, and gymnasts—symbols of ancient Roman entertainment and power.

Although much of the decoration has been lost over the centuries due to moisture and erosion, archaeologists are now reviving the lost art through 3D virtual reconstructions, allowing visitors to experience the tunnel as it once appeared during the height of the Roman Empire.

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