Question: what was the purpose of the roman colosseum
Answer: The Colosseum could hold , it is estimated , between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators , having an average audience of some 65,000 ; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles ( for only a short time as the hypogeum was soon filled in with mechanisms to support the other activities ) , animal hunts , executions , re-enactments of famous battles , and dramas based on Classical mythology .