the colosseum is a free standing building, quite different to the earlier greek theatres which were built into the sides of hills. it is really two roman theatres joined together. it is oval shaped, 189 meters (615 ft / 640 roman feet) long, and 156 meters (510 ft / 528 roman feet) wide. it covers an area of . the outer wall is 48 meters (157 ft / 165 roman feet) high. the distance around the building was 545 meters (1,788 ft / 1,835 roman feet). the arena is an oval long and wide, surrounded by a wall high. around the arena were raised rows of seating.