Of course you laughed your guts out when Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria made a desperate attempt to put up a circus performance at the Roman Colosseum in the recently released Madagascar 3 (which they proceeded to fail spectacularly at). But factually, the site of this visual disaster is one of history’s most famous amphitheaters and has seen some of the most grandiose spectacles ever.

The Roman Colosseum has been the site of fierce gladiatorial shows in the ancient period and is one of Rome’s richest heritages. Gladiators were highly valued entertainers who displayed skilled combat techniques and indulged in brutal fights for survival against their opponents, jeered at as well as encouraged by the excited audience that gathered at the Colosseum to watch. Spectators for this were people from all over the country, from senators to plebians. These wild and vicious performances were extremely popular and were immensely enjoyed by the thronging crowds, a far cry indeed from the Madagascar Circus Blunder!

One of Rome’s major attractions, thousands of tourists flock here every year to view the amphitheatre and explore the arena that bore witnesses to one of the bloodiest sports ever.