At that time El Jem, known as Thysdrus, was a very powerful and influential city, which actually dared to challenge the rule of Rome and acclaimed their own Emperor, Gordian.

This magnificent amphitheatre was built by the Romans to seat 35,000 spectators and was probably used for gladiator shows and chariot races. Climb to the top and enjoy the far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside. Imagine the roar of the crowds as gladiators met their end against other opponents, or even lions, which roamed wild here at that time. Imagine the bladed wheels of the chariots careering around this massive arena which was 148 metres long, 122 metres wide and 35 metres high. 

This massive triple tiered structure remained largely intact until 1695. The amphitheatre might still have been whole today were it not for local unrest at that time. During a struggle between the Turks and  the Ottoman ruler of Tunisia, Mohammed Bey, part of the walls were blown up with cannons to flush out the rebels who had holed up inside the amphitheatre. Some of the building materials were then carried off and used around the town for building projects and even used to build the Great Mosque at Kairouan. 

Historians puzzle over why such a huge amphitheatre was built here, especially as there was another large amphitheatre at nearby Bir-ez-Zit. El Jem certainly must have been a huge city at that time. It is hard to imagine when one looks at the bizarre setting of the amphitheatre today, in this small and somewhat innocuous Tunisian town.