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Colosseum, Italy

The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater located directly east of the Roman Forum in the heart of Rome, Italy. Despite its age, it is the largest standing amphitheater in the world and is the largest ancient amphitheater ever constructed. Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) started construction in 72[1] and his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79–81 AD), finished it in AD 80.During Domitian's rule (r. 81–96), additional changes were enacted.Later classicists and archaeologists called the amphitheater the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio [aʱfiteˈaːtro ˈflaːvjo]) because it was associated with their family name (Flavius), and the three emperors who patronized the work are known as the Flavian dynasty. The Colosseum is composed of brick-faced concrete, tuff (volcanic rock), and travertine limestone. With an average attendance of about 65,000, it could accommodate between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators at different times during its history. It was used for public spectacles such as gladiatorial fights, animal hunts, executions, reenactments of well-known battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and short-lived mock sea battles. Early in the Middle Ages, the structure was no longer utilized for entertainment. Later on, it was repurposed as a castle, a quarry, a Christian shrine, residences, workshops, and quarters for a monastic order.

The Colosseum is still a well-known representation of Imperial Rome and was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, despite being severely damaged by earthquakes and stone thieves stealing spolia. Every Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession that begins in the vicinity of the Colosseum, making it one of Rome's most visited tourist destinations with ties to the Catholic Church. The Italian version of the 5 euro cent coin has an image of the Colosseum.

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