The history of the roman Colosseum started hundred of years before it was actually built when the tastes of Roman citizens craved the excitement and blood lust of the gladiatorial games. Their taste fir blood and this form of enter tainment dates back to 264 A.D. when the first recorded Roman gladiatorial combats took place in Roman. The Roman Colosseum was opened in 80 A.D. and was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. There are many reasons why the great amphitheater was built. The Flavian Amphitheater as it was first called, grew from the custom of wealthy Romans holding funeral games to honor the dead.