Colosseum
The Colosseum is an ancient amphitheater in the center of Rome, the largest ever built, once used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles that could draw tens of thousands of spectators.
Construction began under Emperor Vespasian around 72 CE and was completed under his son Titus in 80 CE. The elliptical structure could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators across four stories.
The Colosseum hosted gladiator combats, mock naval battles, animal hunts, and public executions, often free to attend as a way for emperors to win public favor. Its sophisticated system of trapdoors and lifts allowed for elaborate staged effects.
Damaged over the centuries by earthquakes and stone-robbing, the Colosseum remains an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world today.