The Coliseum , originally the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseo Italian) , is a huge elliptical amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome between the Esquilino and Cælius , the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It was completed in 80 AD. It is close to Roman Forum and the Altar of the Fatherland.