 | |
 Interactive map of Amphitheatre of Pompeii | |
| Location | Pompeii, Campania, Italy |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°45′05″N14°29′42″E / 40.7513°N 14.495°E /40.7513; 14.495 |
| Type | Amphitheatre |
| Length | 135 metres (443 ft) |
| Width | 104 metres (341 ft) |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 70 BC |
| Abandoned | 79 AD,Eruption of Vesuvius |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1748, 1813-16[1] |
TheAmphitheatre of Pompeii is one of the oldest survivingRoman amphitheatres. It is located in the ancient city ofPompeii, nearNaples, and was buried by theeruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, along with the city of Pompeii and the neighbouring town ofHerculaneum.Six bodies were found during the excavations.[2]
Built around 70 BC, theamphitheatre is one of the earliest Roman amphitheatres built of stone; previously, they had been built out of wood.[3]
Contemporarily, it was known as aspectacula rather than anamphitheatrum, since the latter term was not yet in use at the time. It was built with the private funds of Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius (a relative ofCato the Younger). It was constructed shortly after Pompeii's induction as a Roman colony, and an inscription on the amphitheatre honouring the donors 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.[4]
The Amphitheatre was designed to host around 20,000 people.[5] The design of the lower entrances for higher-class citizens, who would have been seated closest to the arena, has been noted for the unique views, striking for both the light flooding the dark tunnel and the roar of the crowd as they entered the amphitheatre, creating a dramatic experience.[6]
Being one of the earliest amphitheatres, there was no underground area for the gladiators. Instead, the quadriporticus was built above ground and close to the arena. When events were over, the dead were taken through a large door named the Porta Libitinensis to be disposed of.[7]
The amphitheatre measures 135m long and 104m wide. Thearena is 6m below ground level and measures 66.7m long and 35.1m wide.[8] The only internal features of the amphitheatre at Pompeii were a corridor that cut into the base ofcavea, the tiered semicircular seating space. This corridor ran the circumference of the amphitheatre and is used to access the arena.[9]
The preservation of Pompeii and its amphitheatre has given insights into thegladiatorial culture of Rome. 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. Some of the posters would be repainted over to state the outcomes of the major events.[10] For example, one poster declares a gladiator to be the "Heart throb of the girls."[4] A recovered fresco depicts the end of a fight, with the losing gladiator awaiting his fate.[11]
One of the most notable events in the amphitheatre's history occurred around 59 AD, when a deadly brawl occurred between Pompeiians and residents ofNuceria during games in the amphitheatre, resulting in a 10-year ban on such events there.[12] Some events like beast hunting and athletic competition were still allowed to take place, possibly due to the intervention of empressPoppaea Sabina and a local magistrate.[13]
The amphitheatre was damaged by anearthquake in 62 AD. The magistrateCuspius Pansa and his son undertook its restoration.[14] After its restoration, the 10-year ban on events was revoked.[15]
The amphitheatre was first partially excavated in 1748. It was later completely excavated between 1813 and 1816.[16]
The amphitheatre and the riot was portrayed in theCambridge Latin Course in unit 1.
Aside from being a historical landmark and an object of archaeological study, the amphitheatre has been used for concerts and other public events in modern times.Over a 4-day period in October 1971,Pink Floyd made aconcert film at the amphitheatre, titledPink Floyd: Live at Pompeii in which the band plays a typical live set but without any audience except for the film crew.David Gilmour, the band's guitarist, returned to perform two concerts at the amphitheatre in July 2016 as part of hisRattle That Lock Tour. Gilmour's 2016 concerts saw the first public performances in the amphitheatre since79 AD[17] and are featured on the live album/videoLive at Pompeii.
In 2015 a temporary museum was installed in the centre of the amphitheatre. 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.
In 2018, the venue hosted a live performance to an audience by the Englishprogressive rock groupKing Crimson.
In 2023, the venue was used as a filming location for rapper Travis Scott’s visual albumCircus Maximus.
| Date | Performer(s) | Tour/Event | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 October 1971 | Pink Floyd | Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii | film crew only |
| 5 October 1971 | |||
| 6 October 1971 | |||
| 7 October 1971 | |||
| 7 July 2016 | David Gilmour | Rattle That Lock Tour | 2,600 |
| 8 July 2016 | |||
| 12 July 2016 | Elton John | Wonderful Crazy Night Tour | 1,723 |
| 19 July 2018 | King Crimson | Uncertain Times Tour | |
| 20 July 2018 | |||
| 22 July 2018 | Bonnie Raitt &James Taylor | Dig in Deep Tour | |
| 21 October 2022 | Max Gazzè | Pompeii Echoes, Max Gazzè – Immersive Experience[18] | |
| 27 June 2025 | Andrea Bocelli | Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration | |
| 28 June 2025 | |||
| 3 July 2025 | Dream Theater | Summer Tour 2025 | |
| 5 July 2025 | Jean-Michel Jarre | Special Summer Live Tour 2025 | |
| 25 July 2025 | Bryan Adams | The Bare Bones Tour 2025 | |
| 10 July 2026 | Opeth/Blood Incantation | European Summer Tour | |
| 27 July 2026 | Savatage | Prelude to Madness Tour 2026 |
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40°45′05″N14°29′42″E / 40.751264°N 14.494970°E /40.751264; 14.494970 (Pompeii)