The African colosseum that nobody knows exists

[@thornton]

which historical site would you like to see me review next? 🥳 (I accept all suggestions other than Stonehenge) follow the rest of my big, sandy train trip across Tunisia ➡kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6axoJqilNeLa6M see my report from visiting a remote Armenian chapel in Turkey ➡ kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXSkpZ5jZ7qthMk join the patreon for more ➡ www.patreon.com/tomthornton

[@Nhkg17]

Ancient temples in Malta, probably the oldest buildings in Europe. Unfortunately, there are no trains in Malta, but at least there is a ferry between Malta and Italy.

[@carl_oak]

Alas, no Stonehenge?

[@Rasmus-rk]

Not a historical site, but Greenland. Don't know if it's too expensive though

[@thornton]

That's a good shout! Thanks :)

[@thornton]

oh I would love to 😭💸

[@mariemnjim7765]

thank you for making this video about our little gem in Tunisia, it's always amazing to see the things we take for granted due to our routine be talked about with such awe

[@thornton]

It is beautiful 😍🇹🇳

[@electronicgrinsch]

I envy you to have such a beautiful historical germ in your city/country. ❤

[@dorahristova9360]

It's a very interesting place. Villa Africa has some marvelous mosaics

[@mateus750]

Little Djem 👀

[@tzarinaruths.2610]

Your gem is Beautiful!

[@OmarGahbiche]

I live 45 minutes away from El Jem Amphitheater and I would go there every now and then just to walk through, up and down, and sit between the massive ancient rocks and meditate, it gives you this strange and yet amazing feeling that you're able to contemplate space and time fast moving around you. I always took that for granted until I visited the one in Rome and saw how expensive it was, how long you had to wait, and the fact that you can't move freely up and down the theater where once you reach a certain point you can't come back unless you pay again.

[@KellyKuru]

what is its roman name ?

[@bobfrog4836]

Not only is the Roman colosseum more expensive and crowded but you can't buy kafteji sandwiches there. I miss kafteji sandwiches...

[@G-ra-ha-m]

Sounds perfect. I don't think the romans built these, populations back then were said to be small, too. Lots of greco-roman stuff all over the world, far away from roman influence! I think we are looking at the remains of a civilisation hidden from us by historians as 'the dark ages', which was destroyed perhaps as recently as the 1700s.

[@bobfrog4836]

@@G-ra-ha-m Ok....history doesn't care what you think and Tunisia is not that far from Rome...

[@G-ra-ha-m]

@@bobfrog4836 Oh! How have I offended you?

[@TasTepelerMedeniyet]

Extraordinary Tunisia is hugely underrated!

[@pt3085]

It’s overrated. Very dirty country full of package tourists, absolute disrespect to city shape and to national heritage by the local government.

[@YoussefBenKhalifa-lj1yd]

Incredible video!! I’m Tunisian and I’ve never been to the colosseum in Eljam and was lazy to get on a train and go there. This video is definitely a boost for me to do so. Thanks!! And I hope you enjoyed the rest of the trip!!❤

[@tf-ok]

Don't be lazy anymore. Get up and do things

[@mikeharrington5593]

See by other comment - there is much to see and it is easy & inexpensive ( compared to many other countries) to travel around in Tunisia. For example I took a night train from Sousse to Tunis slept in the reclining seats & the next night I stayed overnight in the Carlton Hotel Tunis, equipped to Western expectations and not expensive. There are dormitory like hotels in Tunis too but I didn't fancy spending a night with 4 or more culturally different strangers in one large room with bathroom sharing.

[@oxymmetry7248]

Can you not go there by road?

[@Redfour5]

Amazing. I spent a lot of my life studying Roman history and didn't know about this. Fantastic video.

[@G-ra-ha-m]

Roman History is the label given to stories to obscure the Tartarian era and achitecture, up to the 1700s.

[@GuidoBatt]

@@G-ra-ha-m All these yurtas around Europe and Africa... You're funny.

[@G-ra-ha-m]

@@GuidoBatt How many romans were there, and how many were builders?

[@shalasalazar4930]

​@G-ra-ha-m What planet are you from?!

[@G-ra-ha-m]

@@shalasalazar4930 There are planets?

[@edlauren9434]

Very interesting! Never heard about this place! Thank you for this video!

[@Пекинка-с9х]

me too

[@Caambrinus]

A great video, Tom - thank you! Most Classicists will know of this structure, although relatively few visit it. BTW, there is only one Colosseum, the one in Rome; the rest are simply called amphitheatres. DT 12 = €3.50 / US$4.

[@travelingwithvanessa]

What you are showing us, the world, is why I love KZbin. Thank you for showing us their part of history. I did subscribe to to your channel to say thank you. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@pabulo8]

Surprisingly, it is so much better than the one in Rome. This was the first collesum i saw, and Rome came nowhere near due to unfortunate pillaging.

[@stankythecat6735]

You should see the one in Arles , south of France …

[@bloedblarre]

You can thank the Hunnic Jews for this.

[@fish5671]

@@bloedblarrehell nah 😂😂😂

[@ciaoatutti307]

No way dude

[@Fab666.]

lol 🤣 what? Noo not even close

[@martyburd6127]

Professionally filmed and great reporting of a place in history i never knew existed.

[@adedaramy5808]

As a history buff, I can't thank you enough for posting this; great images of this magnificent structure - wonderful stuff

[@crivensro]

I was in El Jem some years ago and as a lover of old stones, I was blown away! Thank you for making this wonder more known!

[@yallahyallah4220]

Tom you should've teamed up with Toldinstone, he leads groups through north Africa and is very knowledgeable about anything involving the Roman empire. It's my favourite channel on youtube that deals with rhe roman empire almost exclusively.

[@tf-ok]

He should team up with your mom

[@YuuArgay]

@@tf-okI should team up with him on yallahyallah4220’s mom

[@MadameX_]

Thank you! I was not aware of this colosseum. Beautiful!

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

Dropped by while meandering through YT. What a treat. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

[@jaimeochoa7256]

What a great experience you had! Thank you for sharing your personal and heartfelt visit to the monument...❤

[@dirkmeier5115]

I`ve been to El Jem half a year ago. It`s really nice an the train connection is perfect.

[@legomattie3295]

Been there. It is one of the most visited sightseeings in Tunisia.

[@JanetKeates-t1w]

So hidden it hosted the England v Tunisian World Cup game. We were there that day. It’s well used for concerts and had a huge stage set up.

[@mohameddhyabaouab]

We love Tunisia ❤️🇹🇳

[@thornton]

💚🇹🇳

[@InspiritShawol82]

Tunisian girl here! I'm loving watching your videos, and I sincerely hope you had a great time in Tunisia.

[@raycope2086]

I've never heard of this amazing building. Thank you for educating me.

[@Peet_McFly]

Love it! Thx for taking us with you.

[@ryanwiese5280]

One of the local rulers had a large section of the walls removed so it couldn't be fortified against him. You can still see the large chunk of wall that was removed. Many ancient buildings, especially the arenas, were converted into fortresses. The Coliseum once had a large tower and other buildings added to it. These were demolished during the restorations.

[@garlicmustard]

Tom. You don't post many videos but when you do they are always something special and interesting. A truly amazing place, thank you for posting.

[@SilverNightKyle]

A gem of a video tour of El Jem…🏤 Rumor has it that Biggus Dickus once headlined there…🤣

[@robertjsmith]

Waleece wadawick

[@briangibson2990]

😂😂😂

[@audioupgrades]

A nice portrait of a building. It must have been amazing to have it almost to yourself. On a tangential note, I just took out my old copy of Life of Brian to watch on a rainy day. Now, I'll know a bit more about the stadium scenes.

[@jeffeldredge1608]

The Leaning Tower of Piza. I climbed it the day before it closed in 1966. With my four older brothers. The battery in our VW Bus died, parked on the street in front of the tower. 1966, no traffic. My brothers and I push started that van in front of the tower. I was five. What a sight.

[@richard999]

It was my pleasure to visit this magnificent amphitheatre myself - really wonderful and seemingly almost in the middle of nowhere. Thank you for the memories. We came by road from Sousse and the last section of the road went in a straight line to the Amphitheatre so we must have been following an ancient Roman road on our arrival. 😎☀️👍

[@Lee-nq5rc]

Excellent video. Been lucky enough to visit both El Djem and Rome and I much preferred El Djem as you feel like you have the place to yourself. Love to go back.

[@kelrogers8480]

I'm sure you do. Africa is generally a grotty mess, filthy and broken. Enjoy!

[@Orwic1]

I visited there in 1968, as a teenager. I still remember it - a wonderful place!

[@JTGould]

I am so excited ... I am going this fall to explore this beautiful country!!!

[@michaelhurley3171]

Awesome! Far more intact than the Roman Colosseum!

[@abdulkarimsayed5612]

This is great. I never had any idea that a Roman Colosseum existed other than in Rome. The Romans gave the world Concrete and no wonder the monuments have stood the test of time.

[@salahbenhassen6789]

Thanks for making this type of vds our country is so underrated and it needs more ❤

[@andyc750]

was there back in 2012, looks llke plenty more preservation and restoration has been done, fascinating place just like the rest of Tunisia, so much history, much of it turbulent, one of the most interesting places there is to visit

[@ECINADGIRL]

I never knew about this 😮 super cool

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Magnificent! Great video

[@jonathanpitcher5229]

Credit to the kid for being polite, much better than most hecklers you get

[@FlyWithVeiga]

This is amazing. Great video bro 🔥

[@helakharrez1949]

Imagine if the othoman ruler did not detroy a part of it, it would have been intact. The tunisians were calling it kasr el jem which means castle and was effectively respected and preserved by them as it was a major shelter for them.

[@anteversus8471]

I have not read anywhere that the Colosseum was partially destroyed by the Ottomans, why would they have done it in this place lost in the middle of nowhere when they did not touch the Roman sites of Algeria and Libya which are moreover much more imposing than the rare Roman sites of Tunisia?

[@helakharrez1949]

@@anteversus8471 there was a big popular revolution at that time because of taxes increase, i said ottoman ruler but it was the bey of tounes from otoman decendecy, and the people who made the revolution against him hided there so he attacked them and partially destroyed it

[@louispaine5307]

Tom you are a man of morals! I like that 😊it reflects in your content . Keep up the good work mate 😊

[@Freesavh1776]

I have absolutely never heard of this at all. Thank you for letting more people know this is here.

[@PeteTAus]

G'day Tom, I have only just discovered your channel, and WOW, what a great way to discover you, but in your expose of EL JEM in Tunisia. The locals must be very proud! Sincerely Peter Thornton Distant cousin, no doubt? Canberra Australia.

[@thornton]

Thanks Pete! And yes, probably :) I have relatives on the west coast (near Perth) so I wouldn't bet against it. I see our surname pop up all around the world.

[@PeteTAus]

@thornton Not sure about the Perth clan, but there's no doubt that all roads would definitely lead back to the UK regarding the Thornton name. Anyway, I am living vicariously through your lived experiences and adventures, and I look forward to your next post. Cheers Peter

[@marjowag8806]

WOW! Amazing. I didn't know about this collesium.

[@kuukeli]

what a great video once again

[@johnbergman2746]

Bucket list updated. New subscriber...thank you ❤😊

[@pbohearn]

Somehow, I’m tearful! What an amazing experience for you. I love visiting ancient places. I hope to visit this place sometime soon.

[@joezip6389]

Totally amazing Great Video

[@jackamt4351]

Hi, thank you for posting the video..

[@TheMariesunshine]

Thank you so much. I am history buff but I did not know this😍👌🏻

[@lorenzoblum868]

Just discovered your channe and subscribed. Life of Brian is one of my favourite film. Thanks for sharing.

[@bali4n1]

3:58 Gladiators very rarely killed each other, that's pretty much a Hollywood myth. Gladiators were highly trained professionals who made their living fighting, not dying. It's expensive and takes a long time to train a Gladiator, so it didn't make sense to let them kill each other. The fights were more for show and usually ended if one was too tired, or tapped out. Apparently 9 out of 10 gladiators survived their match. There were fight's to the death, but usually only if they were sponsored by a wealthy benefactor who would compensate their trainers/owners

[@ReneeGreene-ew2kg]

I remember Spartacus. Gladiators killed animals, people, each other.

[@truthandlife4101]

I was taught that in bible study, what you said, but the Christians were killed fed to the lions.

[@ReneeGreene-ew2kg]

​@@Mohazz88they killed Israelites AKA Christians too. They also killed animals lions, tigers, bulls, etc. I don't know where bulls came from maybe Spain or Portugal.

[@ReneeGreene-ew2kg]

​@@truthandlife4101 tigers too. Really any wild animal

[@Mohazz88]

@@ReneeGreene-ew2kg I saw your comments earlier. Stop that.

[@kathrynlebda780]

Well. Now I'm pulling Tunisia higher on my travel list. That looks amazing! Do Star Wars locations count as historical sites? 🤔

[@thornton]

You definitely should! haha I passed on that, but I think you could get away with it 👀

[@mariemnjim7765]

most of them are actually, before they became star wars locations, you'll find them in the south, at Tataouin, they are old houses for when people used to live under ground in the deserts, and they are highly accessible

[@asmakemli]

@@mariemnjim7765 Not only in Tataouin , they filmed mainly in Tozeur indeed !

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

I was 2022 in Ong Jmal (near Tozeur) on an organised tour. Honestly it is not worth it, may be only if you are a hard core Star wars fan.

[@lucabaroni7715]

The Reggia di Caserta is both. Is an hisorical palace irl and the royal palace of Naboo in Star Wars

[@marcob.7801]

Brilliant video mate! I've heard of but never seen this exquisite example of late Roman Empire architecture until i viewed this! Very MUVH interested in planning a trip to Tunisia!

[@Murray-wr5no]

Wow, pure gold .thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@billhunter8209]

The one in Libya is pretty cool too. The Edmonton Oilers Colosseum was built exactly the same way with a mid level concourse, player (gladiator) entry and everything.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Dave Semenko was the true gladiator.

[@ReneeGreene-ew2kg]

Gladiators were Africans

[@Crusader1984]

@@ReneeGreene-ew2kg not all of them no

[@Dlweta57]

Thanks Tom, I can see and feel that you are " moved" . really enjoyed your shearing experience.

[@thornton]

Thanks!

[@schelb-c1l]

Thank you so much for excellent video

[@jalelbaabou6604]

Wonderful, thank you tom

[@wneo7]

First! PS: Wonderful video as always, Tom. Loved the bit with the interaction with the local kid.

[@thornton]

Thanks!

[@soullessmin]

Wow, thank you for this video, I love learning of the existence of such "unknown" places

[@STNW1956]

A really interesting video. No idea it was even there. Thank you.

[@LeadershipAlliance]

Sensational video Tom! Thank you 🙏😊

[@kildareaces1]

very nice video the things you learn over time truly impressive will be checking out your previous vids for sure

[@stephan6998]

Few weeks ago, I discovered your channel and do thank you for this video that makes me curious enough wanting to go to Tunisia; perhaps only to see this, as you suggest, but there might be some more videos upcoming 😂

[@boxsterman77]

Your choice of music is sublime. It’s not obtrusive. It complements what one is seeing. It’s majestic

[@hoboesque_]

Humbled .thanks for this , was not aware of it

[@Orion2525]

Maximinus Thrax, that sounds like a super villain

[@styleemusic]

Holy crap I live in Africa and did not know a Roman amphitheater existed here, thanks for sharing

[@ViperVenoM13]

Check timgad in Algeria too

[@BaronFlyingClub]

I am amazed the floor in the arena is still intact, give an awesome perspective to the show.

[@AahallenHouston]

Very cool! Thank you

[@fawzibenarab2195]

Welcome to Tunisia

[@otaku1524]

A Colisseum in Africa? Unbelievable! But now I know where to find it!

[@erinmaron3402]

I can't believe this! I had no idea of this? Never even heard of it? How is that possible for such an incredibly built historical sight be so under looked. Thank you for sharing this.

[@JustTunes31]

I loved visiting El Jem on January this year. About 1 hour from Sousse and only £3 entry. It was practically deserted when I visited. It is amazing !!

[@Born2Win7774]

This was breathtaking!! But at 5:37 I was a bit disheartened that people would carve their names into such historical places, I don't think this was the attention you were looking for Amber!!

[@dkeith-fc8hn]

I've lived in Tunisia. I know about El Djem I've been there. Super.

[@ThePunisher014]

El Jem*. Only Algerians have weird accents where they pronounce D before J. Tunisians don't.

[@jasminatounsi]

​@@ThePunisher014 um no there are 2 ways to write it. Most languages call it El Djem

[@ThePunisher014]

​@@jasminatounsi you're so lost buddy, "most languages" are not Tunisian Arabic, they're their own languages and appropriate what's commonly used. E.g. the French write Sidi Bou Saïd so the Germans wrote Sidi Bou Saïd in Wikipedia, but in German the letter ï doesn't exist at all. Dj is because people of Algiers pronounce d before j so they write it how they say it. Tunisians don't pronounce d before j, are you even Tunisian to ask that? I feel like conversing with you might go over your head quickly so i'll stop.

[@notLime_]

@@ThePunisher014 Who hurt you?

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

@@ThePunisher014 French write El-Jem, English El-Djem, Germans should write Al-Dscham, Arabic: الجم

[@dunc5946]

Visited in 1995 on our honeymoon, the place was breathtaking, and not because of the 40c heat, I was in awe…..

[@WonderAboutUs]

We went to the Taj Mahal at the start of the pandemic, days before it shut down. We were just floored at being able to see the site with no crowds. At one point we were the only two people in the mausoleum. That kind of thing never happens.

[@souheilbenchouaieb8738]

I appreciate your content Tom! You are doing more promotion work for Tunisa than the government 😂

[@mariebaxter473]

Nice work , I didnt get out of bed expecting to learn something new ,I suspect the two guys sharing a hammer and chisel inside have a job for life. LOL

[@thornton]

😂

[@wrdennig]

Thank you for this video. What a fabulous structure.

[@travishancock2302]

It’s absolutely stunning..! I hope it stands for generations to come.

[@jacobsmithjr]

This video may give the city a boost in tourism. I had never heard of it until your video.

[@veronica_._._._]

This happened to me trope

[@symmsmarais9838]

Did you go to the catacombs in Sousse? Also the 30km tunnel between Sousse and El Jem. Also the 7 km Roman bridge between the mainland and the island of Jerba. Also on the island of Jerba is the oldest synagogue in African soil. Such an awesome country. There's so much more than even this in Tunisia.

[@donalmccormaic8285]

It is amazing and looks like the arena in Verona

[@Joey4rox]

I did not know about this colosseum. Thank you! There is also another colosseum in Pula, Croatia that would worth a video.

[@1GoodWoman]

The betting, then and now, keeps all games and rules going. Breathtaking and thank you. Amazing.

[@spotsterjon74cu]

I went to El Jem. A few years ago, an absolutely amazing place, If you are visiting Tunisia this is a great place to visit. Ther is very good mosaic museum near by which is interesting if you are into Roman history!

[@TheBlackbirdii]

i wish you took that guide from last time 😂

[@thornton]

Haha I think his company does it, but I wanted to do the train journey

[@SisterSunny]

holy SHIT what the hell is it with you and extremely hidden, extremely beautiful gems

[@mariamelgharbi6395]

i hope you visited the museum your ticket is for both amphetheatre and meseum it is a tiny beautifull place that shows a brief history of el jem during roman age

[@gabrielteixeira6152]

Not so brief

[@greedyready1]

Excellent content. Thank you

[@msbdx4]

Great video ! Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Ivehadenuff]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing. I learned there would have been mats for sale to place on the stone seats. Food vendors would have been hawking their goods. Some things never change.😂

[@Tch5802]

We just were there. It’s wild.

[@Assistint]

Great Video!

[@etacas1412]

Learn something new every day. Did not know this existed.