There are some places you just have to see at least once in your life, and the Colosseum in Rome is definitely one of them. This remarkable piece of architecture has been standing for nearly two thousand years and has a fascinating history that’s been highlighted in numerous films and documentaries. Though many people are familiar with its iconic image, there are still plenty of surprising facts about this Italian monument.

The Colosseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheater, was constructed in 70 B.C. under the orders of Emperor Vespasian. There’s a lot of debate about why it was built. Some believe it was a symbol of victory after Roman conquests, while others think it was meant to restore public land that Emperor Nero had previously claimed for his private residence, the Domus Aurea.

Delving into the Colosseum’s full history would take hours, but it’s undoubtedly a captivating story. Its current name comes from the Colossus of Nero, a giant statue that once stood nearby but no longer exists today.

The Colosseum could accommodate around 12,000 spectators with 80 rows of seats. The seating arrangement was a reflection of Roman social hierarchy. The most important and powerful individuals, like the emperor, senators, magistrates, and priests, sat at the bottom, closest to the arena. Meanwhile, the poorest Romans with the lowest social status sat at the very top.

The Colosseum hosted a variety of events, the most famous being gladiatorial combats. Other spectacles included animal hunts, public executions, battle reenactments, and plays based on classical mythology.

Today, the Colosseum remains one of Rome’s top tourist attractions. In 1980, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site, and it has also been recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.