The Colosseum is Rome’s iconic ancient amphitheater, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Built in the late 1st century AD, it hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles for up to 50,000 spectators.
Emperor Vespasian began construction around 70-72 CE on the site of Nero’s lake, using funds from the sack of Jerusalem; it was completed by Titus in 80 CE and expanded by Domitian. The freestanding elliptical structure measures 189 by 156 meters, with four stories of travertine stone, tuff, and concrete vaults, featuring Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns. A velarium awning shaded spectators, operated by sailors, while vomitoria allowed rapid crowd movement.
It had a hell of a lineup...
Morning events included animal hunts and executions at lunch, followed by gladiator fights; seating stratified society, with elites lowest and women/slaves highest. The hypogeum beneath held gladiators and beasts, accessed via lifts for dramatic entrances.
Damaged by earthquakes it is still one of the Severn New Wonders.