The Roman Colosseum

Colosseum or Coliseum was erected as a gift to the Roman citizens. Vespasian started construction of the Coliseum in 72 AD in the grounds of Emperor Nero's.

Over 160 ft high with eighty entrances, the Coliseum could hold upwards of 50,000 spectators. Public events such as gladiator fights, mock naval battles and wild animal hunts were held at the Coliseum.

Inaugural games lasted for 100 days and nights, during which some 5,000 animals were slaughtered. Trajan once held games that lasted for 117 days, during which some 9,000 gladiators fought to the death. Fighters wereslaves, prisoners or volunteers. Spectators saw persecuted Christians killed by lions.

With the fall of the Empire, the Coliseum was abandoned and gradually became overgrown. During the middle ages, stones from the Coliseum were removed for new buildings. Today, in Rome, the Coliseum is one of its most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.