The Amphitheatre of El Jem, in Tunisia, stands as a striking example of Roman design modeled on the Colosseum. At its peak, the amphitheatre may have held up to 35,000 spectators, and its well-preserved stone tiers and dramatic scale make it an evocative setting for historical filmmaking. Its authentic Roman atmosphere was a major reason filmmakers chose El Jem for scenes in Gladiator.