Edith Grove wrote on Feb 6
th, 2018 at 5:22am:
Didn't they eventually play at some Antiquity site in Rome not that long ago ?
Yes, they played the Circeo Maximo which is just around the corner from the Colosseum.
I guess the Colosseum show just wasnt a goer logistically. I'd imagine getting permission was an issue too. This was 1969 after all and such events were pretty much unheard of.
Hyde Park was easier to put together as bands had started having regular shows there (Jagger saw a Blind Faith there and decided the Stones would do one a few weeks later). Much easier to pull off than one in Rome - plus the band hadnt played a concert in the UK in almost 3 years by this point.
Even as late as 1982, the Stones were having to cancel concert dates in Italy because politicians objected to the shows taking place due to the band's negative public image.
Less of an issue now, as concerts have been staged around the area of the Colosseum since.
Although, just to clarify - you couldnt stage any sort of public event such as a concert IN the Colosseum. Whilst there are some ancient arenas in Italy that are suitable for concerts (eg the Areni di Verona and the Teatro Greco in Taormina, Sicily) the Colosseum isnt one of them.
The arena is a ruin and doesnt even have a floor.