The Roman amphitheatre at Verona, Italy. This is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The Roman amphitheatre at Pula in western Croatia, on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy. This giant amphitheatre was built by the Flavian dynasty of emperors (from Vespasian to Domitian). Building was begun around 70 and took around ten years to complete, although it was not until 82 that Domitian added the uppermost tier.

Remains of the ancient Greek amphitheatre at Dodona, Greece. Dodona was the sanctuary of Zeus and home of the oldest oracle, mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey. Priests here interpreted sounds made by the sacred oaks of Zeus.

The ancient amphitheatre at Dodona, in Greece. This spectacular site is one of the best-preserved classical amphitheatres in the country.

The amphitheatre at Caesarea in Israel. This was built by King Herod, who named it after the Roman emperor Augustus. The amphitheatre would once have held 20,000 spectators.

Amphitheatre at Ephesus, Turkey. Situated 10 km/6 mi inland from the Aegean Sea and 700 km/435 mi south of Istanbul, Ephesus was the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor. The amphitheatre, which holds approximately 25,000 spectators, was completed under the Roman emperor Trajan during the 2nd century. It was excavated in the mid-19th century by archaeologists from the British Museum, and is still used as a performance space.

Amphitheatre at Ephesus, eastern Turkey. The Roman amphitheatre at Ephesus in eastern Turkey could originally seat 25,000 people. Building began under the emperor Claudius (AD 41–54) and was completed under Trajan (98–117). The theatre, set on the western slope of Panayir Dag, is one of many famous buildings in Ephesus, including the Temple of Artemis.