At different stages in its existence, the Colosseum could house an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, with an average attendance of around 65,000. It was used for gladiatorial competitions and public spectacles including as animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of great wars, and plays based on Roman mythology, and it could hold 20,000 people for a short time. In addition, it was also used for religious ceremonies, such as the annual games held during the Roman festival year. The Colosseum was built by the Emperor Vespasian to replace the older Flavian Amphitheatre, which had been destroyed by fire. The new structure was originally called the "Circus Flaminius" after its location near the Circus Flaminius but this name wasn't adopted until later. In 1598, the present name was given to honor the memory of Nero Caesar, who had recently died. Like many other famous buildings and structures in Rome, parts of the Colosseum are incorporated into more recent buildings; for example, the arena is part of what is now a public park. However, even today, some elements within the building remain intact including the original entrance gates and parts of the original wall circuit. In addition to being used for entertainment purposes, the Colosseum was also used as a place of execution. This happens several times in history, most notably in A.D. 192 when Septimius Severus and his family were murdered there before their bodies were taken outside the city walls and fed to wild animals.