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The Great African Amphitheater That Rivals The Colosseum (PHOTOS)
The ruins of El Djem
One of the greatest surviving examples of Roman architecture isn’t in Rome or even in Italy. It isn’t in Europe at all. It lies in Africa. The Amphitheatre of El Jem lies deep in the heart of Tunisia and was built by the Roman Empire to host spectator sports for the citizens of Africa Proconsularis. The capacity was estimated to be roughly 35,000. It bears a striking resemblance to the Colosseum in Rome without being an exact copy.
The existence of the Amphitheatre of El Jem shows how wealthy Roman Africa was and how committed Rome was to improving infrastructure in their outlying territories. This amphitheater was built in 238 CE and is made entirely of stone and is free standing. Quite the feat, even today.
The amphitheater was built by Proconsul Gordian (who later ascended to the throne as Emperor Gordian II.) It is speculated that Gordian tore down the old amphitheater to build his grand new one. Or perhaps the original amphitheater was destroyed in some sort of disaster. There is evidence that shows that the Gordian Amphitheatre is built on the bones of another and another.
