The Colosseum is also kwown as the “Flavian Amphitheater” and has a 55,000 spectators seating capacity. Fights with gladiators and wild animals were staged free of charge by the emperor and by rich citizens for public viewing.

Commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 AD, it was completed in 80 AD by his son Domitian. It was built on a marshy site of a lake near Nero’s enormous palace, there was a very tall statue (a colossus) of Nero nearby, from which legend says the Colosseum’s name was originated from. Later it was destroyed in the great fire of Rome.