PHOTO: The Ancient Roman Amphitheater of Pompeii, Italy

The ancient Roman amphitheater at the Pompeii ruins in Italy

The Roman amphitheater of Pompeii, built around 80 BCE, is the world’s oldest surviving stone amphitheater. It was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which also covered the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum under tons of ash and pyroclastic volcanic mud. Prior to the eruption, the stadium was used for gladiatorial games.

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