The arena also had other less common names, such as 'hunting theater' and 'Ovum,' meaning 'the Egg.' The name 'Colosseum' originated centuries later around the 11th century A.D., which may have come from the colossal statue of Emperor Nero that was located just outside the amphitheater. But like all emperors, the Flavians were called Caesar while they ruled, so the grand arena was most likely referred to as 'Caesar's Amphitheater' during their reigns. In the days of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum would have been known officially as the Flavian Amphitheater, named after the emperor who had it built, Vespasian, and the Flavian Dynasty he started in the late first century A.D.
