Ancient site · Monument
Colosseum
Also known as Flavian Amphitheatre
The Colosseum in Rome is the largest amphitheatre ever built. Emperor Vespasian began it around 72 CE and his son Titus opened it in 80 CE.
Built of travertine stone, concrete and tuff, it could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, who watched gladiator fights, animal hunts and public executions. Gladiator fights are last mentioned in the 5th century, and animal hunts continued until at least 523 CE. Earthquakes and stone robbers later damaged it, but much still stands.
- Dates
- 72–80 CE; games until the 6th century
- Still standing
- Yes
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Yes
- Location
- 41.89° N, 12.49° E
How we know
Roman writers and inscriptions record its building and the shows held in it.
Nearby sites
- Pantheon, Rome c. 126 CE; a church since 609
- Pompeii 7th–6th century BCE – 79 CE
- Su Nuraxi di Barumini tower 17th–13th century BCE; village to the 6th century BCE
- Ötzi the Iceman (find site) died c. 3230 BCE
- Carthage founded c. 814 BCE (traditional date); destroyed 146 BCE; Roman city to 698 CE
- Hallstatt salt mines and cemetery c. 1200–350 BCE (prehistoric mining)