It's the biggest amphiteatre ever built in the antiquity. It was started in 72 AD, by the emperor Vespasiano of the Flavia family, that is why it's also known as the "Amphiteatrum Flavium". It is built above the ancient area of the artificial lake of the Domus Aurea, and it probably owes its name to the neighbouring colossus of Nerone that made part of the entrance of the hall of the same villa. If1th its 50 metres high and its elegant architecture, it had a capacity of c 55000, stectators.Some big tournaments of gladiators werwused to take place inside the edifice, venationes (fights with wild animals) and some naumachie also known as the fantastical navals battles. But there are not enough informations about the Christian's tortures.During the Renaissance a lot of materials were taken from the monument for the constructions of palaces, bridges and the San Pietro's Basilica.The Pope Benedetto XIV established that this monument was a tribute to the Christian martyreds, who died here and then the plundering stopped.The floor of theplace was destroyed during afire that is why it is possible to admire the sub-terranean structure.