The Roman Amphitheatre in Pompeii
Two constants of Roman society were the baths and the games both of which served as popular forms of entertainment and relaxation; much as swimming pools and sports' stadiums serve our modern-day world.
The amphitheatre at Pompeii, the first to be built in stone was known originally as a "spectacula" - the name,"amphitheatrum" was coined much later - and it is the oldest surviving amphitheatre from Roman times. A feature of the Pompeiian amphitheatre is the external stairs leading to the upper tiers. After its construction, stairways became an internal feature of amphitheatres.
It was constructed around BC70 - predating the Colosseum in Rome by more than a century - at the time of the Roman colonisation of the former Etruscan-Greek Pompeii and it was privately funded by two leading Roman citizens, Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius.
The amphitheatre could seat 20,000 spectators and catered not just for the Pompeiians but for residents of the surrounding towns and settlements. The lower five tiers of seats - those nearest the arena were enclosed by a stone parapet and were reserved for use by the elite. Ordinary citizens and slaves used the higher tiers further away from the arena.
Obviously, the Pompeiians took their games seriously, In 59AD, a deadly brawl took place between local spectators and those from the neighbouring town of Nuceria.The cause is unknown although there had been bitterness between the two rival towns for over a century which had to do with the loss of land rights by the original Pompeiians. There were fatalities and the Emperor Nero ordered a Senate inquiry which resulted in the amphitheatre being closed for ten years, the exiling of the man in charge of maintaining order in Pompeii and his exclusion from politics for life. Additionally, the Senate dissolved all Pompeiian colleagia (private clubs and trade guilds).
Apparently, the ban was lifted in 62AD it is said by the intervention of local woman who happened to be the mother of Poppaea, the Emperor Nero's wife.
With the lifting of the ban, the citizens of Pompeii once more enjoyed their gladiatorial games.
Picture sourced from the internet; the text is mine.
Again congratulations Chris, for your admirable learning in Roman History.
ReplyDeleteBy the way this deadly brawl between opposite supporters of adversary gladiators and gladiators' teams in Pompeii, shows once again the strict resemblance that exists between the fanatic ancient support for certain teams of Roman gladiators or certain specific fighters ..... and the modern fanatic support that often exists for certain teams of Soccer or of other Sports and for certain modern players / athletes.
Nothing new under the sun !
K.
Indeed, "K" and thank you for your comments. The parallels between the ancient Romans and our modern day societies are very similar. Human nature and attitudes haven't changed all that much. I think I mentioned in another post, how my visits to Pompeii resonate with me. I do feel a kinship with the Romans who, over the past two millennia, have contributed so much to our development. Chris
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