Tunisia contains the ancient Roman amphitheatre at El Jem.
The Amphitheatre of El Jem stands in central Tunisia and was built during the Roman period, probably in the 3rd century CE. It could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators and is one of the largest surviving Roman amphitheatres in the world.
The monument reflects the wealth of the surrounding region, which prospered through olive cultivation and trade. Roman amphitheatres hosted public spectacles, including gladiatorial contests and animal hunts, although the exact events held at El Jem are not fully documented.
El Jem is sometimes confused with the Colosseum in Rome because both are major oval Roman arenas. The Tunisian monument is distinct: it is a North African example built in the Roman province of Africa. Its substantial stone structure survives in the modern town of El Jem.