Colosseum
The Flavian Amphitheatre, more commonly known as the Colosseum, was built in 80 AD and serves as an incredible example of Roman architectural innovation. The design was so advanced that many of its elements are used even today in modern stadiums. During the Colosseums heyday, there was an underground network of passages which connected to trapdoors in the Colosseum's floor. The stadium was even capable of being completely flooded so that the crowd could veiw mock naval battles.  An estimated several hundred thousand people were killed during the Colosseum battles. The stadium's remarkable history doesn't end there, however. It barely endured several earthquakes in the Middle Ages, as well as the pillaging of marble for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica and private palaces. What is left today is owed to Pope Benedict XIV. His 1749 decree to cease using the Colosseum as a quarry set a model for preserving history.

Fun Facts

• The Colosseum could seat 55,000 excited spectators, ready to cheer on gladiators as they battled slaves and animals.


• During the animal hunts, or venatio, they used a variety of wild beasts.  The beasts were mainly imported from Africa, and included creatures such as rhinoceros, hippos, elephants, giraffes, lions, panthers, leopards, crocodiles, and ostriches.

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Colosseum