The Amphitheatre of Pompeii — The World's Oldest Stone Arena

The World's Oldest Stone Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre of Pompeii (Anfiteatro di Pompei) holds a unique distinction in architectural history: built around 70 BC by the magistrates Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius, it is the oldest known permanent stone amphitheatre in the Roman world, predating the Colosseum in Rome by over 150 years.

Architecture and Design

Located in the southeastern corner of the city (Region II), the amphitheatre is a large elliptical structure measuring approximately 135 by 104 meters. It was partly built into the earth and partly raised on embankments, a practical design that used the existing terrain to reduce construction costs.

The seating was divided into three tiers reflecting Roman social hierarchy:

• Ima cavea (lowest section) — Reserved for magistrates and prominent citizens
• Media cavea (middle section) — For ordinary citizens
• Summa cavea (upper section) — Standing room for the lower classes and women

A large canvas awning (velarium) could be stretched over the amphitheatre to protect spectators from the sun, supported by masts set into stone sockets that are still visible at the top of the outer wall.

Gladiatorial Games

The amphitheatre hosted gladiatorial combats (munera), animal hunts (venationes), and possibly public executions. These events were major social occasions, sponsored by wealthy citizens and politicians seeking to curry favor with the public. Painted announcements (edicta munerum) on buildings throughout the city advertised upcoming games, listing the sponsors, types of combat, and number of gladiator pairs.

Archaeological evidence from Pompeii has revealed a gladiatorial barracks (the Ludus Gladiatorius) near the theatres, where gladiators lived and trained. Weapons, armor, and the remains of gladiators with healed combat injuries have been found.

The Riot of 59 AD

The amphitheatre was the scene of one of the most famous incidents in Pompeii's history. In 59 AD, a violent riot broke out during gladiatorial games between Pompeians and visitors from the neighboring city of Nuceria. The brawl spilled out of the amphitheatre into the streets, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths.

The incident was serious enough to reach the attention of Emperor Nero and the Roman Senate, who banned gladiatorial games in Pompeii for 10 years (the ban was later reduced). The riot is immortalized in a famous fresco found in a Pompeian house, now in the Naples Archaeological Museum, which shows the fighting both inside and outside the amphitheatre.

Visiting

The amphitheatre is located near the Piazza Anfiteatro entrance and is one of the best-preserved structures at Pompeii. Visitors can walk around the arena floor and climb the stairs to the upper seating for panoramic views of the site and Mount Vesuvius. The adjacent Large Palaestra (exercise ground) is also worth exploring.