Amphitheatres are one of the most distinctive and impressive monuments of the Roman Empire. The earliest examples can be found in Campania, the area of Italy around Naples. They became particularly popular after the Emperor Vespasian (AD 69-79) constructed the biggest of them all, the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome. We know it as the Colosseum.
There were three main entertainments which took place in an amphitheatre: beast shows in the morning, executions at midday and gladiatorial combats in the afternoons.
Wild beast hunts in the arena reflected several parts of Roman culture. Animals were used as sacrificial victims in religious festivals at Rome from a very early date. At the same time, hunting was a daily activity for many country people, and for the wealthy it provided a demanding and exciting pastime. The courage and athletic skill needed to deal with dangerous animals was also greatly admired - just like the matadors in the Spanish bull-rings today. These strands combined to create ‘staged’ hunting in the arena.
The Romans used a wide variety of exotic animals - elephants, ostriches, lions and leopards from North Africa; and after the conquest of Egypt hippopotami, crocodiles and giraffes also made their appearance. But this was for Rome, the capital. In smaller amphitheatres in the provinces only local animals, such as bears and bulls, would have been available.
Condemned prisoners who were not Roman citizens could be being executed by being thrown to the beasts. This happened when the Roman authorities wished to make an example of someone, either because their crimes were considered to be particularly wicked or because they were considered to be a threat to national security. At times of persecution this is how the Christians were seen. It was part of Roman culture that such executions should be entertaining, something which is quite alien and repugnant to us
Gladiatorial combat has its origins in the games which took place at the funerals of Roman aristocrats. Although these contests were intended as a religious ritual, over the years they became a popular from of entertainment. Gladiators were expensive to train and maintain, so they were not killed as often as you might imagine. To an extent the fights were ‘staged’ - rather like modern wrestling - although the stakes were much higher. In many towns games were paid for by leading citizens who were seeking political office - they were a subtle way of persuading voters to give their support
By the middle of the fourth century, after the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, gladiatorial games had died out. This was only partly caused by moral revulsion, for the cost of such shows had become prohibitive.
Beast hunts also gradually faded away. Changing tastes played a role, although the major factor was the difficulty in obtaining a continuous supply of animals. One of the most lasting legacies from the Roman world is the virtual elimination of large predators from North Africa and much of central and northern Europe.
In the uncertain world after the end of the Roman empire some amphitheatres were converted into fortified enclosures. For example, at Arles in southern France towers were built over the gateways
The image of the amphitheatre was a strong one in the minds of early Christians. There are many examples of chapels being built in the Roman ruins to commemorate real or fictitious martyrs who died in the arena. Amphitheatres also became the focus of cemeteries. This is something we shall be looking for at Chester
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