The Amphitheatre is found on the South-East side of Pompeii, and played an important part on the understanding of how Social class impacted on the lives of Romans living in both Pompeii and around the Roman Empire. The Amphitheatre was the most popular form of entertainment for Pompeians at this time. This Amphitheatre was constructed in 80BC, and is the oldest surviving Roman Amphitheatre built out of stone and was, and still is, used as a model for the designing of later Amphitheatres and structures such as the Colosseum. It was commissioned by two Magistrates Quintus Valgus and Marcus Porciusl and first excavated by Antonio Bonnucci in 1823.
Social hierarchy is seen clearly within this structures seating arrangement. The Amphitheatre is able to seat up to 20,000 people in 35 rows, but are separated into 3 sections; the first Ima Cavea which is lower section of the amphitheatre, where the Patricians and upper class are seated, gaining the closest view of the arena. the second section is Media Cavea which is the middle section, seating the middle class citizens of Pompeii. The Last and uppermost section found in the Amphitheatre is Summa Cavea, seating the poorest people with little to no social standing[1]. Balustrades used around the inside of the ring was a mere 2 metres in height and was the only division that separated the audience from the entertainment below. However, it offers little to no protection against violent wild beast brawls that were a common occurrence[2]. Unlike other Roman amphitheatres, the Pompeii Amphitheatre was 6m below ground level and did not contain an underground section, however it was equipped with a Velarium, which is a cover that is stretched out over the complex to give protection against rain. Rings from the canopy attachments can still be seen today(very top of [4]).
The Amphitheatre in Pompeii has continued to inspire architects since its construction and even today, is admired for its excellent, spacious design. An example of this is the toilet blocks, located just outside the Amphitheatre, measuring 135m x 104m. These toilet blocks influenced the want for better toilet designs in modern stadiums. This is because the layout for the open toilets allowed for a wide dispersal of people, many designers aim to create the toilets of modern stadiums to resemble this. This substantial building, also called the Palaestra, also contained areas for food and drinks to be purchased, a large and shallow public pool in the middle of the complex and also accommodated for men to conduct business.
A famous fresco painted in fourth style, now found in the Naples Archaeological Museum, shows the entire structure of the Amphitheatre and also depicts a significant fight between the Pompeians and the Nucerians in 59 AD[4]. Many lives were lost and many more were injured, thus resulting in an intervention by Emperor Nero, who closed down the Amphitheatre for over 10 years. It wasn't until 62AD when an earthquake caused major damage to Pompeii and various towns nearby. The first building to get repaired was the Amphitheatre by Cuspius Caius Ponsa, bringing back the important part of Roman life in the form of entertainment beloved by all Pompeians.
Gladiator fights were one of the most popular spectacles that were shown in the Pompeian Amphitheatre and there is a lot of evidence of the fights in the form of graffiti drawn around the Amphitheatre and on Pompeii walls showing gladiatorial contests and listings for favourite gladiators. An example of this type of graffiti is found arounds Pompeii and reads "Celadus the Thracian makes all the girls sigh". A section of illustrated graffiti was found close to the Pompeii Amphitheatre showing two Thraeces, a type of Roman Gladiator, M. Altilius and L.Raecius Felix. Latin numbers inform you of how well they have fought in the past, Altilius had fought and won only once (I-I) whereas Raecius had already fought 12 fights, winning them all (XII - XII). However, even with this advantage, Altilius defeated Raecius in his thirteenth fight, killing him (V = Victory)[5]. A fallace is drawn on the top of the victors head, suggesting that he had good luck and was stronger than his opponent. Even though Gladiators were adored by others, they still sat very low on the Roman social hierarchy, seating near the top of the Amphitheatre, just before the slaves and women.
The gladiators and various wild animals would be released through tunnels along the edge of the Amphitheatre to fight to the death. In the Pompeii Amphitheatre, there are only 2 entrances, the Porta Triumphalis, used for the opening ceremony procession of the gladiators and animals, and the Porta Libitinenis, used as the exit point for the dead. This emphasises the idea of how brutal the gladiator and fighting games were. 2 go in, 1 comes out.
With the evidence that I have collected, I am able to make conclusions about what life was like for a Roman living in Pompeii in the 1st century BC. Where you stood in the Roman hierarchy, determines where you are allowed to sit in the Amphitheatre with the wealthy and powerful at the top, and the slaves and women at the bottom. In order to get a good seat in this stadium, you would have to have substantial political power and wealth within the community. The Amphitheatre is a very important part in Roman culture as it is a place for entertainment with friends and family to socialize and enjoy yourself. After the closing of the Amphitheatre, Pompeians lost the major form of entertainment until an earthquake hit in 62AD and it was rebuilt. Since it was one of the first buildings to be repaired, it shows the importance of the Amphitheatre to the Romans living in Pompeii and the need that they had for it to become part of their lives once more. The canopy used to protect Pompeians suggests that this area could be used all year round, further emphasising the importance of attending these events near everyday was to the Romans living at this time. The fighting games that were shown in the Amphitheatre were ruthless, a sand floor was used here to easily soak up the blood from the humans and animals that were killed or injured here, and this sight was accepted throughout society. I can deduce from this that the Romans living around Pompeii in 1st Century BC were extremely brutal in the way they liked to entertain themselves, however this was the social norm and was a huge part in their daily life. The 59AD fight between Pompeians and Nucerians show how the entertainment provided by the Amphitheatre could be used as a reward for those living in Pompeii, but also as a punishment for the people after that fight by closing it down.
Social hierarchy is seen clearly within this structures seating arrangement. The Amphitheatre is able to seat up to 20,000 people in 35 rows, but are separated into 3 sections; the first Ima Cavea which is lower section of the amphitheatre, where the Patricians and upper class are seated, gaining the closest view of the arena. the second section is Media Cavea which is the middle section, seating the middle class citizens of Pompeii. The Last and uppermost section found in the Amphitheatre is Summa Cavea, seating the poorest people with little to no social standing[1]. Balustrades used around the inside of the ring was a mere 2 metres in height and was the only division that separated the audience from the entertainment below. However, it offers little to no protection against violent wild beast brawls that were a common occurrence[2]. Unlike other Roman amphitheatres, the Pompeii Amphitheatre was 6m below ground level and did not contain an underground section, however it was equipped with a Velarium, which is a cover that is stretched out over the complex to give protection against rain. Rings from the canopy attachments can still be seen today(very top of [4]).
The Amphitheatre in Pompeii has continued to inspire architects since its construction and even today, is admired for its excellent, spacious design. An example of this is the toilet blocks, located just outside the Amphitheatre, measuring 135m x 104m. These toilet blocks influenced the want for better toilet designs in modern stadiums. This is because the layout for the open toilets allowed for a wide dispersal of people, many designers aim to create the toilets of modern stadiums to resemble this. This substantial building, also called the Palaestra, also contained areas for food and drinks to be purchased, a large and shallow public pool in the middle of the complex and also accommodated for men to conduct business.
A famous fresco painted in fourth style, now found in the Naples Archaeological Museum, shows the entire structure of the Amphitheatre and also depicts a significant fight between the Pompeians and the Nucerians in 59 AD[4]. Many lives were lost and many more were injured, thus resulting in an intervention by Emperor Nero, who closed down the Amphitheatre for over 10 years. It wasn't until 62AD when an earthquake caused major damage to Pompeii and various towns nearby. The first building to get repaired was the Amphitheatre by Cuspius Caius Ponsa, bringing back the important part of Roman life in the form of entertainment beloved by all Pompeians.
Gladiator fights were one of the most popular spectacles that were shown in the Pompeian Amphitheatre and there is a lot of evidence of the fights in the form of graffiti drawn around the Amphitheatre and on Pompeii walls showing gladiatorial contests and listings for favourite gladiators. An example of this type of graffiti is found arounds Pompeii and reads "Celadus the Thracian makes all the girls sigh". A section of illustrated graffiti was found close to the Pompeii Amphitheatre showing two Thraeces, a type of Roman Gladiator, M. Altilius and L.Raecius Felix. Latin numbers inform you of how well they have fought in the past, Altilius had fought and won only once (I-I) whereas Raecius had already fought 12 fights, winning them all (XII - XII). However, even with this advantage, Altilius defeated Raecius in his thirteenth fight, killing him (V = Victory)[5]. A fallace is drawn on the top of the victors head, suggesting that he had good luck and was stronger than his opponent. Even though Gladiators were adored by others, they still sat very low on the Roman social hierarchy, seating near the top of the Amphitheatre, just before the slaves and women.
The gladiators and various wild animals would be released through tunnels along the edge of the Amphitheatre to fight to the death. In the Pompeii Amphitheatre, there are only 2 entrances, the Porta Triumphalis, used for the opening ceremony procession of the gladiators and animals, and the Porta Libitinenis, used as the exit point for the dead. This emphasises the idea of how brutal the gladiator and fighting games were. 2 go in, 1 comes out.
With the evidence that I have collected, I am able to make conclusions about what life was like for a Roman living in Pompeii in the 1st century BC. Where you stood in the Roman hierarchy, determines where you are allowed to sit in the Amphitheatre with the wealthy and powerful at the top, and the slaves and women at the bottom. In order to get a good seat in this stadium, you would have to have substantial political power and wealth within the community. The Amphitheatre is a very important part in Roman culture as it is a place for entertainment with friends and family to socialize and enjoy yourself. After the closing of the Amphitheatre, Pompeians lost the major form of entertainment until an earthquake hit in 62AD and it was rebuilt. Since it was one of the first buildings to be repaired, it shows the importance of the Amphitheatre to the Romans living in Pompeii and the need that they had for it to become part of their lives once more. The canopy used to protect Pompeians suggests that this area could be used all year round, further emphasising the importance of attending these events near everyday was to the Romans living at this time. The fighting games that were shown in the Amphitheatre were ruthless, a sand floor was used here to easily soak up the blood from the humans and animals that were killed or injured here, and this sight was accepted throughout society. I can deduce from this that the Romans living around Pompeii in 1st Century BC were extremely brutal in the way they liked to entertain themselves, however this was the social norm and was a huge part in their daily life. The 59AD fight between Pompeians and Nucerians show how the entertainment provided by the Amphitheatre could be used as a reward for those living in Pompeii, but also as a punishment for the people after that fight by closing it down.