For nearly 400 years, the Colosseum in Rome served as an arena for brutal public spectacles, including deadly gladiator combats, exotic animal hunts, public executions, and even mock naval battles. The arena was a mix of enslaved prisoners of war, condemned criminals, and volunteer fighters hoping to gain fame and fortune. On any given day, 80,000 spectators packed into the stadium to witness the savage behavior as their main form of entertainment.