Set in the heart of ancient Italy, the Coliseum is the largest Roman amphitheater of all time and a world-famous landmark. Built in 72 AD on the order of Emperor Vespasian, its partially-ruined state is due to the great earthquake of 1349 and subsequent tremors over the centuries. Originally it was the site of many epic gladiator contests and the rumored place of the martyrdom of hundreds of early Christians.