The Colosseum, the Coliseum or the Flavian Amphitheater is an elliptical amphitheater in Rome, built between 70 AD and AD 80. Emperor Vespasian began construction which was completed by his son Titus. During Roman times, there was a fight between wild animals, executions, gladiatorial contests and theater there in front of a large audience, maximum 87,000 spectators. However, a lot of animal feces and gladiatorial games were performed on Circus Maximus south of the Palatine Hill. The Colosseum has a circumference of 524 meters and is 48 meters high. The Colosseum got its name from a colossus, that is, a huge statue of Emperor Nero next to the building, towards the Roman Forum. The statue of Nero, which was 40 meters high, was made of gilt bronze. However, the Colosseum's official name is the Amphiteatrum Flavium or the Flavian Amphitheater, as it was founded during the Flavian dynasty's time with the Empire. Nero's Colossus was later melted down for the manufacture of weapons. The fortifications at the Colosseum were also pulled out and melted into weapons, which resulted in much of the outer part of the building collapsing in an earthquake. After this, large amounts of white marble were removed from the building, including the construction of St. Peter's Basilica and the Trevi Fountain. The remaining part of the building is yet another powerful sight and a popular tourist destination.