Details: Written by: Automater; Category: 360 Archeology

Buried by eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatres built around 70 BC previously built out of wood then stone.

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Gps Coordinates / 40.751572,14.4951577

Pompei Roman Ruins VR Archeology Anfiteatro Amphitheatre Open Air Venue

QF2W+G3 Pompei, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy

One of the most notable events in the amphitheatre's history occurred around 59 AD, when a deadly brawl occurred between Pompeiians and residents of Nuceria during games in the amphitheatre, resulting in a 10-year ban on such events.

The amphitheatre measures 135m long and 104m wide. The arena (pit) is measured to be 6m below ground level. and measures 66.7m long and 35.1m wide.

Link Location Gps 40.7516689

Gps Coordinates / 40.7516689,14.4942419

Contemporarily, it was known as a spectacula rather than an amphitheatrum, since the latter term was not yet in use at the time.

Link Location Gps / Gps Link 40.7510836 / Gps Link 40.7510775 / Gps Link 40.7510227

Gps Coordinates / 40.7510836,14.4952375 / 40.7510775,14.4953945 / 40.7510227,14.4954435

It was built with the private funds of Julius Caesar's rival who was his relative called Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius.

Link Location Gps / Gps Link 40.7510721 / Gps Link 40.751146 / Gps Link 40.7512133

Gps Coordinates / 40.7510721,14.4953405 / 40.751146,14.4954485 / 40.7512133,14.4952783

The space was constructed shortly after Pompeii's induction as a Roman colony, and an inscription on the amphitheatre honoring the donors.

Link Location Gps / Gps Link 40.7500705 / Gps Link 40.7515515 / Gps Link 40.7515777

Gps Coordinates / 40.7500705,14.4918313 / 40.7515515,14.4950483 / 40.7515777,14.4949338

Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius, cites one of their motives, being, "to demonstrate the honour of the colony," perhaps indicating the amphitheatre's role in establishing Roman influence in Pompeii.

Link Location Gps / Gps Link 40.7515805 / Gps Link 40.7518383 / Gps Link 40.7513181

Gps Coordinates / 40.7515805,14.4946595 / 40.7518383,14.4953043 / 40.7513181,14.4950132

The design is seen by some modern crowd control specialists as near-optimal. The preservation of Pompeii and its amphitheatre have given insights into the gladiatorial culture of Rome.

Link Location Gps / Gps Link 40.7515802 / Gps Link 40.7506196 / Gps Link 40.7505112

Gps Coordinates / 40.7515802,14.4941875 / 40.7506196,14.4948825 / 40.7505112,14.4949417

Painted posters on the walls of the amphitheatre have been uncovered depicting gladiators accompanied by slogans and nicknames, evoking shades of the modern posters, billboards, and banners depicting today's sports stars and celebrities.

Link Location Gps / Gps Link 40.7519345 / Gps Link 40.7507286 / Gps Link 40.7507866 / Gps Link 40.7508468

Gps Coordinates / 40.7519345,14.4940675 / 40.7507286,14.4950516 / 40.7507866,14.495171 / 40.7508468,14.4952996

In 2015 a temporary museum was installed in the centre of the amphitheater. The pyramidal structure was designed to resemble Mount Vesuvius, and housed the installation "Pompeii and Europe from 1748 to 1943", which displayed casts of 20 victims of the eruption and photographs of the excavations.

Its washroom, located in the neighbouring palaestra has also been cited as an inspiration for better bathroom design in modern stadiums.