Along with the basilica and triumphal arch, the amphitheatre was the only significant new construction type created by the Romans. Amphitheatres, of which there are over 200 known and many of which are in good preservation, like the one at Arles and its progenitor, the Colosseum in Rome, are among the most striking examples of secular architecture. They were used for public contests, public shows, gladiatorial matches, and bullfights—a custom that is still practiced in Portugal and Spain. They ... (Read More)