The Colosseum is a giant amphitheater built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. It was officially dedicated in 80 CE by Titus in a ceremony that included 100 days of games. Later, in 82 CE, Domitian completed the work by adding the uppermost story. The Colosseum is a freestanding structure of stone and concrete, using a complex system of barrel vaults and groin vaults and measuring 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 meters) overall.

The primary purpose of the Colosseum was to satisfy the public enthusiasm for games and spectacles. The arena once witnessed bloody gladiator battles, epic hunts pitting humans against wild animals, and contests between men and animals. The Colosseum could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. Seats were split into sections depending on what class you were part of - the richer you were, the better seats you were placed in.

Thousands of people perished in the Colosseum over the years, and it is estimated that 400,000 people died within the walls of this particular amphitheater. Most of the victims were marginalized people or those looked down on by the upper classes. Beside gladiator contests, the Colosseum was often a place of open execution performed in a way inspired by mythology. Beasts would eat convicts, or they would be burned to death.

The Colosseum has experienced large fires at least three times throughout its history, and suffered from at least 4 earthquakes. These events seriously damaged the structure. In medieval times, the Colosseum was used as a church, then as a fortress by two prominent Roman families, the Frangipane and the Annibaldi. The Colosseum was damaged by lightning and earthquakes and, even more severely, by vandalism and pollution. All the marble seats and decorative materials disappeared, as the site was treated as little more than a quarry for more than 1,000 years.

In summary, the Colosseum was a place where the ancient Romans watched gladiator battles, contests between men and animals, and executions. It could seat between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators and was often full. Thousands of people died within the walls of this particular amphitheater, and it has experienced large fires and earthquakes throughout its history.