Roman theatres were built in areas spanning from Spain to the Middle East. Some 200 Roman theatres are still standing today. They are reminiscence of one of the greatest empire ever; hundreds of years after it have collapsed. Here we bring you 10 classic Roman theatres that are eye-poppingly gorgeous!
10.
Arles Amphitheatre
Listed among UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Arles Amphitheatre was built around 90 AD. The city of Arles thrived during the Roman times and the amphitheatre was used for entertainment purpose like chariot races and hand-to-hand battles to death. Inspired by the Colosseum, the place was also used for gladiatorial contest and re-enactment of hunting scenes. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the amphitheatre was occupied by the local populace and was transformed into a fortress. In the 20th century the Arles Amphitheatre was used for bull fighting.
9.
Leptis Magna Amphitheater
Also known as Lepcis Magna or Lectis Magna, it's located in Khoms, Libya. The city was constructed in 1000 BC by a group of local Berbers (an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa) and became a part of the Roman Empire after 146 BC. Under the Romans the city flourish in it full glory but after a time for some reason or the other the city was abandoned in 523 AD and engulfed by the desert. Since it laid under tons of sand for years, the ruins of Khoms are very well preserved. The theatre has a capacity of holding 16,000 spectators.
8.
Flavian Amphitheater (Pozzuoli)
This Flavian Amphitheater is the largest Roman amphitheater in Italy. In fact historians believe that the architect of this amphitheatre and the Colosseum are the same. It can seat around 20,000 people. The arena was once a ground of persecutions and one can still find part of the gears which allowed the cages from underneath to be lifted up to the arena floor. Outside, the Amphitheater was covered by marbles which was later stripped down and utilised to built other things. Fortunately the interiors were never touched.
7.
Arena of Nîmes
Constructed around AD 70, the arena is located in the city of Nîmes, France. Consisting of 34 rows of seats, the arena has a total capacity of seating 16,300 spectators. During the turbulent years, the amphitheatre provided shelter to hundreds of people and settlement grew up with inside the circle. And people lived there up until the eighteenth century when it was decided that the building would be taken down and the Arena of Nîmes will be restored to its former glory. Today the place is used for various purposes like film or song videos, music concerts and even hosted WWE house shows.
6.
Uthina Amphitheatre
The amphitheatre is located in Uthina, a small town in northern Tunisia. Though the town no longer exists, ruins of its glorious past remains in form of a basilica, a fortress, an aqueduct, cisterns, a theatre, an amphitheater etc. Mentions of the town has been found in various texts, one of which calls it a Roman colony. To create the amphitheatre, the Uthinanians had dug a hill flat, made sloping seat that can hold up to 16,000 spectators. The place has even got a basement located right under the central arena and has a number of vaults and rooms.
Listed among UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Arles Amphitheatre was built around 90 AD. The city of Arles thrived during the Roman times and the amphitheatre was used for entertainment purpose like chariot races and hand-to-hand battles to death. Inspired by the Colosseum, the place was also used for gladiatorial contest and re-enactment of hunting scenes. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the amphitheatre was occupied by the local populace and was transformed into a fortress. In the 20th century the Arles Amphitheatre was used for bull fighting.
Also known as Lepcis Magna or Lectis Magna, it's located in Khoms, Libya. The city was constructed in 1000 BC by a group of local Berbers (an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa) and became a part of the Roman Empire after 146 BC. Under the Romans the city flourish in it full glory but after a time for some reason or the other the city was abandoned in 523 AD and engulfed by the desert. Since it laid under tons of sand for years, the ruins of Khoms are very well preserved. The theatre has a capacity of holding 16,000 spectators.
This Flavian Amphitheater is the largest Roman amphitheater in Italy. In fact historians believe that the architect of this amphitheatre and the Colosseum are the same. It can seat around 20,000 people. The arena was once a ground of persecutions and one can still find part of the gears which allowed the cages from underneath to be lifted up to the arena floor. Outside, the Amphitheater was covered by marbles which was later stripped down and utilised to built other things. Fortunately the interiors were never touched.
Constructed around AD 70, the arena is located in the city of Nîmes, France. Consisting of 34 rows of seats, the arena has a total capacity of seating 16,300 spectators. During the turbulent years, the amphitheatre provided shelter to hundreds of people and settlement grew up with inside the circle. And people lived there up until the eighteenth century when it was decided that the building would be taken down and the Arena of Nîmes will be restored to its former glory. Today the place is used for various purposes like film or song videos, music concerts and even hosted WWE house shows.
The amphitheatre is located in Uthina, a small town in northern Tunisia. Though the town no longer exists, ruins of its glorious past remains in form of a basilica, a fortress, an aqueduct, cisterns, a theatre, an amphitheater etc. Mentions of the town has been found in various texts, one of which calls it a Roman colony. To create the amphitheatre, the Uthinanians had dug a hill flat, made sloping seat that can hold up to 16,000 spectators. The place has even got a basement located right under the central arena and has a number of vaults and rooms.
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