Colosseum

1.  The Colosseum or Coliseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheater), in the center of the city of Rome, Italy.

2. An elliptical amphitheater.

3. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD and was completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus.

4. An ancient building built of concrete and stone, it was the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.

5. The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops and quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torch lit  "Way of the Cross" procession  that starts in the area around the Colosseum.

6. It is the largest amphitheater in the world. Nothing like it is anywhere else in the world.

7. The Colosseum in Rome arouses more emotion than any other structure from this ancient culture. I was moved to tears at all that this structure stood for. It is truly colossal.