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Colosseum, Rome

Elisabeth Yorck von Wartenburg
July 6, 2015

Ferocious gladiatorial battles raged behind these walls in ancient times. Roman emperors used what was then the world's biggest amphitheater to entertain the masses as well as themselves.

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Italien Colosseum in Rom
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/CNP/R. Sachs

The Roman arena could pack in an audience of up to 50,000 people. Inside, clever stage management could create entire landscapes within minutes. Even sea battles were recreated when the Colosseum opened in 80 A.D. Senators sat in the best seats down low and close to the action while average citizens had to make do with spots higher up in the stands. The games in the Colosseum ran for four centuries. Today it is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions.

Elisabeth Yorck
Elisabeth Yorck von Wartenburg Author, editor, planner, social media manager