Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum, is an oval amphitheatre, in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest, ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre, in the world today, despite its age. Construction began, under the emperor Vespasian, in AD 72, and was completed in 80 AD, under his successor and heir, Titus . Further modifications, were made during the reign of Domitian. The three emperors, that were patrons of the work, are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named, the Flavian Amphitheatre, by later classicists and archaeologists, for its association with their family name (Flavius).

The Colosseum, is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated, 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, at various points in its history, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests, and public spectacles, including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas, based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles. The building, ceased to be used for entertainment, in the early medieval era. It was later reused, for such purposes as, housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although substantially ruined, by earthquakes and stone robbers, taking spolia, the Colosseum, is still an iconic symbol, of Imperial Rome, and was listed as, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It is one of Rome's, most popular tourist attractions, and also has links to, the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit, "Way of the Cross" procession, that starts in the area around the Colosseum. The Colosseum, is depicted on the Italian version, of the five-cent euro coin.

It is needless to say that, the Colosseum in Rome, is a UNESCO world heritage site.