3-065-868 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Interior of the Coliseum at El Djem, near Tunis, 1874. 'When Northern Africa was a province of Imperial Rome, the vast Flavian amphitheatre [at Rome] was copied at Thysdrus, a city of Byzacium..."The thing that strikes one most on seeing the African Coliseum for the first time is its grandeur; and then, the wanton neglect and destruction of it by the Arabs. Somewhat more than a century ago it was in almost a perfect state of preservation, until the Arabs, in a rebellion about that time, made a fortification of it; and the Bey then reigning had such difficulty in dislodging them that he pulled down the western gate and part of the southern side, so as to render it useless as a fortification for the future...There being no stone whatever near El Djem, the Romans must have brought the stone for the Coliseum at least forty miles, as that is the nearest point where stone is to be found. The interior is in an almost entire state of ruin as regards the seats; but the feature of this Coliseum, which excels all others, is in its exterior and circular façades. These, which constitute the chief characteristic beauty of such an edifice, are almost in a perfect state of preservation".' From "Illustrated London News", 1874.