The Roman Coliseum (or Roman Colosseum), originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is an elliptical amphitheater in the center of Rome, Italy that is the largest stadium built by the mighty Roman Empire. The Coliseum is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture ever built. Originally capable of seating 50,000 spectators, it was once used for gladiatorial combat. The Coliseum hosted large-scale spectacular games that included fights between animals, the killing of prisoners by animals and other executions, naval battles (via flooding the arena and bringing in ships) up until 81 A.D., and combats between gladiators (munera). The construction of the Coliseum began under the rule of Roman Emperor Vespasian around 72 A.D. and was completed by his son, Titus, in the 80s A.D. It was built at the site of Nero's lake below his extensive palace, the Domus Aurea, which had been built covering the slope of the Palatine after the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D. The Coliseum measures 157 feet (48 meters) high, 617 feet (188 meters) long, and 511 feet (156 meters) wide. The wooden arena floor was 228 feet (86 meters) by 177 feet (54 meters), and covered by sand. Its elliptical shape kept the players from retreating to a corner, and allowed the spectators to be closer to the action than a circle would allow. | 