AMPHITHEATRE-REGIO II, Amphitheatre-Regio Ii

The Roman amphitheater of Pompeii, built in 70 BC, is by far the oldest of those discovered to date.

Elliptical in shape, with a length of 135 meters and a width of 104 meters, it could accommodate up to 20,000 spectators, protected from sun and weather by an imposing roof, the velarium.

Precisely because of the great influx of people who also flocked from neighboring towns and cities to attend circus and gladiatorial shows, the building was constructed in a peripheral area of Pompeii.

Below the bleachers ran a gallery with four entrances, two of which led directly into the arena. Those who sat in the upper stands instead accessed it via the double flight of stairs that can be seen outside.

Inside, spectators were divided according to social class and there was a specific sector reserved for women.

Unlike other Roman amphitheaters, this one did not have the typical dungeons where ferocious beasts were kept before arena fights. It is therefore assumed that animal fighting was not frequent but was certainly part of the games, as evidenced by the paintings found in 1815....