The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater) was constructed in the center of Rome under the rule of Vespasian and Titus. It was completed in 80 AD and could seat 50,000 people. The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Roman mythology. Earlier amphitheatres were built into hillsides, but the Colosseum is an entirely free-standing structure, built with concrete, brick, and stone. It consists of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.
The Colosseum comprised a wooden floor covered by sand (the Latin word for sand is harena or arena), covering an elaborate underground structure called the hypogeum (literally meaning "underground"). Little now remains of the original arena floor, but the hypogeum is still clearly visible. It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began.
There are many legends of Christians being feed to the lions in this amphitheater. We don't know to what degree these legends are true. The Bible does tell us of their martyrdom, but not the exact location.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." - Acts 23:11
The apostle Paul spent two whole years under house arrest in Rome around 60 AD (Acts 28:29). During his imprisonment he wrote the four prison epistles of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians.
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. - Philippians 1:12-14
Paul was in the greatest city of the Roman World. The greatest political and military leaders of that time were there. It was home to Caesar. Yet, the most powerful person was not Nero, but a man in chains. Paul's writings from his prison cell has touched more people than all the events in the Colosseum.
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. - 1 Corinthians 4:9
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