In 1812, during the excavations of the Colosseum’s underground levels, archaeologists came across the various pieces of the large inscription for the Roman prefect C.V. Lampadius. The slab, restored between 1814 and 1822, bears an inscription commemorating the restorations carried out on the arena, podium and terraces, parts of which had been severely damaged by the earthquake of 443.

The restoration projects were financed by the Roman prefect Rufus Caecina Felix Lampadius during the dual reign of Theodosius II and Valentinian III.

The Lampadius inscription was carved on a reused slab that had formerly borne an inscription made of metal letters. The small holes used to fix these letters to the marble, as well as several scraped away portions of its surface, allowed scholars to decipher the slab’s original inscription, which constitutes the main document mentioning the financing of the Colosseum’s construction with the treasure (ex manubiis) looted from the destruction of Jerusalem.