Amphitheatre:
The Amphitheatre, was discovered among the ruins of Pompeii during excavations. It is an impressive structure and can hold up to 12,00-20,000 spectators and measures approximately 135 x 104 metres. Built around 80 BC, it is the first Roman amphitheatre known to have been built of stone - previously had been built using wood- and was commissioned under the magistrate of Quintus Valgus and Marcus Porciusl. The amphitheatre was used to hold all kinds of circus and gladiator games, and was a popular social place to visit. Its arena was a pit excavated 6 metres into the ground with left over earth used to make up the embankments that served as a seating area. All that separated the audience from the events below them was a 2 metre balustrade which wouldn't have protected those on the nearest seats during wild beats fights.. The arena floor is known as a ' cavea '. This cavea can be split into sections; Ima-cavea - Low Part, Media Cavea - middle part, and Summa cavea - upper part. These sections were intended to seat different social classes with lower central areas reserved for high class or ' dignitaries', and the higher seats for lower class known as 'Plebeians. It had a developed system of canals which allowed the arena to be filled with water in order to hold naval battle enactments.
This object was very important to the way we look at life in ancient Roman times in Pompeii. This is because the amphitheatre provided evidence of social life, social classes and activities and events which could have been popular in those days. it was used primarily for games, sports, gladiatorial contests and spectacles with wild beasts. This aspect creates social connections with Pompeii and other cities as the arena accommodated all social classes, as well as cities, demonstrating the universal popularity of the games
Posters displayed all around the city were used to advertise these games and illustrate the certain programmes available. These inscriptions told archaeologists the passion for the theatre and how the gladiators which participated were highly recognised and popular and had adoring fans.
A significant event which happened at the amphitheatre was in 59 AD and a riot broke out between Pompaiinians and Nucerians.
"It arose at a show arranged by Livineius Regulus. During the exchange of taunts abuse led to stone throwing, and then swords were drawn. Many Nucerians were taken home wounded and mutilated; many bereavements, too, were suffered by parents and children... Livineius and others held responsible for the disorders were exiled." - historian Tacitus (Annals XIV, 17). This event led to a 10 year ban of similar activities by the Senate. The riot helped us understand that, like many sports teams today, perhaps gladiator belonging to different cities had rivals. This could explain the reason for the brawl as pride for a favoured team or gladiator would have needed to be defended. Ultimately leading to a fight as we are once again notion toward the battle craving nature of many Roman men of that era.
Posters displayed all around the city were used to advertise these games and illustrate the certain programmes available. These inscriptions told archaeologists the passion for the theatre and how the gladiators which participated were highly recognised and popular and had adoring fans.
A significant event which happened at the amphitheatre was in 59 AD and a riot broke out between Pompaiinians and Nucerians.
"It arose at a show arranged by Livineius Regulus. During the exchange of taunts abuse led to stone throwing, and then swords were drawn. Many Nucerians were taken home wounded and mutilated; many bereavements, too, were suffered by parents and children... Livineius and others held responsible for the disorders were exiled." - historian Tacitus (Annals XIV, 17). This event led to a 10 year ban of similar activities by the Senate. The riot helped us understand that, like many sports teams today, perhaps gladiator belonging to different cities had rivals. This could explain the reason for the brawl as pride for a favoured team or gladiator would have needed to be defended. Ultimately leading to a fight as we are once again notion toward the battle craving nature of many Roman men of that era.