Gladiatorial glory.The Arena of Nimes is the best conserved Roman amphitheatre in the world. From the late 1st century AD it hosted gladiatorial contests and other spectacles such as wild beast hunting.It is still in use today as a setting for many prestigious events, including bullfights, conventions, concerts and sporting events.Measuring 133 metres in length and 101 metres wide, the 21 metres high curved exterior facade is divided into 60 arched sections. Numerous stairways and five circular galleries allow for spectators to move around inside easily.The Roman audience would have been divided according to social class among the 34 levels of tiered seating. Over 23,000 French-Roman spectators would have squeezed in to watch the bloody battles taking place in the centre of this historic arena.