precious-postcards

Amphitheatre of El Jem

The impressive ruins of the largest colosseum in North Africa, a huge amphitheatre which could hold up to 35,000 spectators, are found in the small village of El Jem. This 3rd-century monument illustrates the grandeur and extent of Imperial Rome.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/38

The Amphitheater of El Jem is an immense theatre in the classic Roman town of Thysdrus (now El Jem), dating from the 3rd century. The elliptical theatre had room for 60.000 spectators.

The amphitheatre of El Jem was made a WHS because of the accomplishment of its construction and as a symptom of Roman imperial propaganda.

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/eljem.html