Set-up
Roman amphitheaters were large, ovular or circular, open air venues which held many different events including gladiatorial tournaments, naval battles, etc. These stadiums were not roofed, but there were awnings which could be pulled over in case of rain or sun. The entertainment was shown in the open area which was called the arena. The arena was then surrounded completely by many raised seats. Everyone was welcome to come to these events, but specific seating was reserved for specific people. The podium, which was the lowest section, had a special box which had seating for the emperor and his entourage. On the other side of the podium, seats were reserved for the vestal virgins, consuls, praetors, ambassadors, priests, and other honorable guests. The rest of the seats in the first gallery were for senators and equestrian rank. The seats in the second gallery were for patricians, third gallery was for plebeians, and the highest seats, the fourth gallery, were reserved for women.
Roman amphitheaters were large, ovular or circular, open air venues which held many different events including gladiatorial tournaments, naval battles, etc. These stadiums were not roofed, but there were awnings which could be pulled over in case of rain or sun. The entertainment was shown in the open area which was called the arena. The arena was then surrounded completely by many raised seats. Everyone was welcome to come to these events, but specific seating was reserved for specific people. The podium, which was the lowest section, had a special box which had seating for the emperor and his entourage. On the other side of the podium, seats were reserved for the vestal virgins, consuls, praetors, ambassadors, priests, and other honorable guests. The rest of the seats in the first gallery were for senators and equestrian rank. The seats in the second gallery were for patricians, third gallery was for plebeians, and the highest seats, the fourth gallery, were reserved for women.
Construction + Design
The first amphitheater ever found was constructed in the end of second century BC. The early amphitheater is two wooden semi-theaters, similar to ancient greek theaters, faced to each other, and form a circular amphitheater. During the imperial era, Roman amphitheater became bigger and fancier. Large amphitheaters were able to accommodate about 40,000 to 60,000 audience. During this time of period, amphitheaters were constructed with concrete in the open field. One of the most famous amphitheater from this time of period is the Great Flavian Amphitheater, known as the colosseum. The Colosseum is 560 by 460 feet and 95 feet tall, with the central arena for about 287 by 180 feet. The construction process of the Colosseum started in 70 AD. Many workers who helped constructed the amphitheater were jewish slaves who were brought to Rome after the war. The construction also required engineers, artists, and professional Roman builders. The whole construction process took about nine years. On the outer wall of the colosseum, arcades windows were placed all around the amphitheater. The arcades were featured with different Greek style of columns, and on top of the arcades, there is attic, which is decorated with corinthian pilasters. Inside the amphitheater, seats are placed in a tiered arrangement. Special boxes are placed in the north and south of the arena, for the emperor to have the best view of the fight.The arena itself actually has a wooden floor covered by sand. There were tunnels and cages underneath the floor for gladiators and animals to travel and released. These tunnels are also connected with some points outside the arena, so that animals and gladiators could be brought in through the tunnels. There were also all kinds of machinery like elevators and in the hypogeum. The arena was also able to be flooded with water through the aqueduct, which allowed naval battles to took place in the arena.
The first amphitheater ever found was constructed in the end of second century BC. The early amphitheater is two wooden semi-theaters, similar to ancient greek theaters, faced to each other, and form a circular amphitheater. During the imperial era, Roman amphitheater became bigger and fancier. Large amphitheaters were able to accommodate about 40,000 to 60,000 audience. During this time of period, amphitheaters were constructed with concrete in the open field. One of the most famous amphitheater from this time of period is the Great Flavian Amphitheater, known as the colosseum. The Colosseum is 560 by 460 feet and 95 feet tall, with the central arena for about 287 by 180 feet. The construction process of the Colosseum started in 70 AD. Many workers who helped constructed the amphitheater were jewish slaves who were brought to Rome after the war. The construction also required engineers, artists, and professional Roman builders. The whole construction process took about nine years. On the outer wall of the colosseum, arcades windows were placed all around the amphitheater. The arcades were featured with different Greek style of columns, and on top of the arcades, there is attic, which is decorated with corinthian pilasters. Inside the amphitheater, seats are placed in a tiered arrangement. Special boxes are placed in the north and south of the arena, for the emperor to have the best view of the fight.The arena itself actually has a wooden floor covered by sand. There were tunnels and cages underneath the floor for gladiators and animals to travel and released. These tunnels are also connected with some points outside the arena, so that animals and gladiators could be brought in through the tunnels. There were also all kinds of machinery like elevators and in the hypogeum. The arena was also able to be flooded with water through the aqueduct, which allowed naval battles to took place in the arena.
Change Overtime
The first gladiatorial fights were held anywhere that there was a flat place near a hill, so people could sit on the hillside and watch the fights being held down on the flat area. Records and discoveries show that people started to build temporary wooden amphitheatres in the second century BC. As gladiatorial fights became more popular, people got tired of putting up temporary amphitheatres and taking them down after fights. So larger towns began to build permanent amphitheatres using limestone and marble. Most of the famous amphitheatres that we can still see today were built in the Imperial Era when gladiatorial games was at the peak of its popularity. Romans spent a lot of time and money to build larger and stronger amphitheatres. In 404 AD, an Egyptian monk named Telemachus objected the savage things that were happening in the arena, and gladiatorial fights became less popular. Also, the Roman government was constantly threatened by bankruptcy, so they spent most of their money on preparing for wars instead of on reinforcing their amphitheatres. A few years later, the Christian Emperor issued a decree that stopped gladiatorial games. Eventually, people stopped using amphitheatres and watching gladiatorial fights after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The first gladiatorial fights were held anywhere that there was a flat place near a hill, so people could sit on the hillside and watch the fights being held down on the flat area. Records and discoveries show that people started to build temporary wooden amphitheatres in the second century BC. As gladiatorial fights became more popular, people got tired of putting up temporary amphitheatres and taking them down after fights. So larger towns began to build permanent amphitheatres using limestone and marble. Most of the famous amphitheatres that we can still see today were built in the Imperial Era when gladiatorial games was at the peak of its popularity. Romans spent a lot of time and money to build larger and stronger amphitheatres. In 404 AD, an Egyptian monk named Telemachus objected the savage things that were happening in the arena, and gladiatorial fights became less popular. Also, the Roman government was constantly threatened by bankruptcy, so they spent most of their money on preparing for wars instead of on reinforcing their amphitheatres. A few years later, the Christian Emperor issued a decree that stopped gladiatorial games. Eventually, people stopped using amphitheatres and watching gladiatorial fights after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Famous Amphitheaters
There were many amphitheaters built during and after Roman times. Some of these have become famous tourist sites and archaeological digs. The following amphitheaters are some of the most famous. The Flavian Amphitheater, better known as the Colosseum is likely the most famous Roman amphitheater. It was built from 70-82 AD by the Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus, Vespasian’s successor. It gained its nickname from the statue in the front of it ‘The Colossus”. The Emperor Vespasian also commissioned another amphitheater called the Pozzuoli Amphitheater. It is the third largest Roman amphitheater after the Colosseum and the Capuan, seating 20 thousand spectators. The Pozzuoli was later the setting for the persecution of various local saints in 305 AD. Another famous amphitheater is the Pompeii Spectacula. Built in Pompeii it can seat around 20 thousand people, it was abandoned and buried in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried, most notably, Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash. The amphitheater was forced to close for 10 years beginning in 59 AD, after a huge fight broke out between the Pompeians and a neighbouring city. It only was only reopened for roughly 10 years before Mount Vesuvius buried the whole area.
There were many amphitheaters built during and after Roman times. Some of these have become famous tourist sites and archaeological digs. The following amphitheaters are some of the most famous. The Flavian Amphitheater, better known as the Colosseum is likely the most famous Roman amphitheater. It was built from 70-82 AD by the Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus, Vespasian’s successor. It gained its nickname from the statue in the front of it ‘The Colossus”. The Emperor Vespasian also commissioned another amphitheater called the Pozzuoli Amphitheater. It is the third largest Roman amphitheater after the Colosseum and the Capuan, seating 20 thousand spectators. The Pozzuoli was later the setting for the persecution of various local saints in 305 AD. Another famous amphitheater is the Pompeii Spectacula. Built in Pompeii it can seat around 20 thousand people, it was abandoned and buried in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried, most notably, Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash. The amphitheater was forced to close for 10 years beginning in 59 AD, after a huge fight broke out between the Pompeians and a neighbouring city. It only was only reopened for roughly 10 years before Mount Vesuvius buried the whole area.