The colosseum (more correctly known as the
Amphitheatrum Flavium) was surprisingly like many modern stadiums: it had numbered sections and seats, held over 50,000 spectators, and even had a retractable roof (made of canvas) to protect from the hot Roman sun or rain. It's in pretty bad shape now days, but considering it is almost 2000 years old, it is amazing the brick and concrete structure is standing at all.
The Romans invented a super concrete much harder and more stable than ordinary cement. That is why the Colosseum and other structures have survived as long as they have. Part of that secret ingredient is volcanic ash which provides a crystal structure to resist cracking. Only in the last few decades have we also been able to produce super concrete. Impressive photos.
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