The Amphitheatre!

1. The Amphitheatre! The Building Social/Economic/Religious The Games

2. The Building • The Amphitheatre was built in 70BC and is the earliest Roman Amphitheatre of it’s kinds to have been discovered. It could seat 20 000 people and had segregated seating according to class. People came from all around the area to attend the games that were held there.

3. Social/Economic/Religious • The Amphitheatre was built in 70BC at the expense of the duoviri quinquennali C. Quintius Valgus and Marcus Porcius. It was a massive structure which was of great social, political, economic and religious importance as well as benefit for Pompeii.

4. The Games • The games were advertised all around Pompeii in the form of painting and graffiti. Similarly gladiators often became so popular that graffiti can be found all over Pompeii declaring there greatness.

5. The Amphitheatre was built in 70BC at the expense of the duoviri quinquennali C. Quintius Valgus and Marcus Porcius. Events such as this were common and would have been done to increase their political popularity. It is the oldest Roman amphitheatre- possibly the first ever built. This is a photo of an inscription found on the Amphitheatre which tells us who commissioned it. The inscription reads “Quinctius Gaius, son of Gaius; Marcus Porcius, son of Marcus; duumvirs five; to make the colony honor she had done, decided to build their own expense to a location for shows and gave the inhabitants of the colony instead of the final show. “

6. This source is an aerial view of the 3 distinct levels of the Great Amphitheatre in Pompeii, which displays the segregated seating that occurred between classes and genders. It also tells us that the games at the Amphitheatre were something enjoyed by all levels of society. The 35 rows of seats which could accommodate 20000 people were divided into three areas to accommodate three distinct social groupings of spectators from the city and its outlying regions. The media for the general population, the imacavae ran around the arena and was for the rich. Whilst slaves, women and the lowest classes viewed the games form the summa cavae, at a distance from the show.

7. This source is a photo of the Great Amphitheatre in Pompeii, it displays the large and impressive size of the structure. The Amphitheatre is to large for just the population of Pompeii and it is said that people came from around the countryside to attend the games. For this reason (and the fact that they are yet to uncover one) it is believed that Herculaneum does not have an Amphitheatre.

8. The amphitheatre was central to life in Pompeii. It was amongst the first buildings reconstructed following the earthquake in 62AD, despite the fact that no games had been held there for 3 years as a result of a ten year ban placed on gladiatorial contests in the city after riots broke out between Pompeian spectators and those from Nuceria. This source is an aerial photograph in which the reconstruction as well as modifications made after the 62AD earthquake are visible.

9. This source is a fresco depicting the Amphitheatre and a riot that occurred there in 59BC between spectators from Pompeii and the near by Nuceria. This source is useful as it shows both the social and economic impact the Amphitheatre had as it displays the passion and popularity the games commanded, as well as the fact that people travelled from around the countryside to come to Pompeii and see the games- brining their money and business with them.

10. This source is an extract from the historian Tacitus’ account of the 59BC riot. In it he states that the games were held by Livineius Regulus who had been removed from the senate. It is probable that he commissioned these games in order to regain favour with the people as the hosting of games for personal political gain was a common occurrence. Tacitus records “a gladiatorial show exhibited by Livineius Regulus, who had been, as I have related, expelled from the Senate.” ~ Tacitus (Ann. 14.17)

11. This is a copy of a painted sign found in one of the vaults in the Great Amphitheatre, in English it reads ‘Gnaeus Aninius Fortunatus mayors got the exclusivity of this location’. This source is a sign saying that the particular spot is reserved for the buisness (probably the sale of food/drink) of Gnaeus Aninius Fortunatus. It is useful useful as it tells us about the economic benifits of the Amphitheatre. [LOCVM] PERMISSV AEDILIVM CNAEDILIVM CN ANINIVS FORTVANINIVS FORTV NATVS OCCUP[AVIT] NATV OCCUP [AVIT] 

12. This source particularly useful as it articulates the religious influence that is present in almost all aspects of Pompeian society- it tells of Games held in honour of the god Apollo, a particular popular god in Pompeii as he had a large temple in the forum. Games held in the honour of gods or on a gods feast day were very common and popular, for example sacrificial deaths held at the Amphitheatre were an annual event on during Saturnalia. “... At the games of Apollo... A procession, bulls, bull-fighters, their quick-footed helpers, three pairs of stage fighters, boxers in bands and Greek style boxers.” ~Extract from the Epitaph of Aulus Clodius Flaccus.

13. This source is a painting of a hunter killing a lion in a game held at the Great Amphitheatre. It is useful as this as one of the popular competitions held at the Amphitheatre, others included gladiatorial combat and bull fighting.

14. This source is graffiti that was found in Pompeii on a column in the barracks of the Julian-Claudian gladiators. It is useful to us as it displays the popularity of the gladiators (especially among women) who fought in the games at the Amphitheatre. “Celadus the Thracian gladiator is the delight of all the girls.” ~Graffiti found on a column in the barracks of the Julian-Claudian gladiators

15. This is a painting on the side of a shop in Pompeii that is advertising gladiatorial games in the Amphitheatre at Pompeii. It is useful to us as it tells us of how games were held “for the wellbeing of Nero Cladius” as well as the types of events that were held.

16. This source tells us about the teams that fought and the Amphitheatre and the fact that people often sided with one team or the other- as often happens in contemporary sporting competitions. It is a translation of some graffiti found in Pompeii and is important for teaching us about the social impact of the Amphitheatre. • “Myrmillo fighter, Minucius, be strong!” ~ CIL IV.3546