In this gallery, we showcase 12 amphitheatres, a structure built throughout the Roman empire where ordinary people could watch such spectacles as gladiator games, mock naval battles, wild animal hunts, and public executions. Usually oval in form, the largest examples could seat tens of thousands of people, and they became a focal point of Roman society and the lucrative entertainment business.
The Romans built over 200 amphitheatres across the empire, most of them in the west as in the east very often existing Greek theatres and stadiums were converted/employed for public spectacles. Amphitheatres are one of the best surviving examples of ancient Roman architecture, and many are still in use today, hosting events ranging from gladiator re-enactments to opera concerts.
