Human Trafficking Funded the Colosseum

Following a bloody civil war, the new Roman emperor Vespasian needed a grand project to win over his people and solidify the legitimacy of his Flavian dynasty. The financing for this monumental undertaking came directly from the brutal suppression of the Great (Review) Jewish Revolt. In 70 AD, Roman legions led by Vespasian's son, Titus, sacked the city of Jerusalem, plundering the immense riches of its Second Temple. This vast treasure of gold, silver, and sacred artifacts was paraded through Rome and then used to fund the construction of what would become the world's most famous amphitheater.

The spoils of war provided more than just money; they also supplied a massive, captive workforce. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 Jewish prisoners were brought to Italy and forced into hard labor. While skilled Roman engineers and artists oversaw the project, these prisoners performed the grueling, back-breaking work required for the 8-year construction. They toiled in the quarries, hauling the enormous travertine stone blocks that form the Colosseum's foundation (Review) and structure. A triumphal arch dedicated to Titus, which still stands in Rome, even depicts soldiers carrying away the Temple's Menorah, a permanent testament to the conquest that funded and built this iconic landmark.