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 The Arènes de Lutèce | |
  Shown within Paris Show map of Paris  Arènes de Lutèce (France) Show map of France | |
| Location | 5th arrondissement,Paris, France |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°50′42″N2°21′10″E / 48.84500°N 2.35278°E /48.84500; 2.35278 |
| Type | Roman amphitheatre |
| History | |
| Founded | 1st century |
| Periods | Roman Empire |
TheArènes de Lutèce ([a.ʁɛndəly.tɛs], "Arenas ofLutetia") are among the most importantancient Roman remains inParis (known in antiquity asLutetia), together with theThermes de Cluny. Constructed in the 1st century AD, this theatre could once seat 15,000 people and was used also as anamphitheatre to showgladiatorial combats.[citation needed]
The terraced seating surrounded more than half of the arena's circumference, more typical of an ancient Greek theatre rather than a Roman one which was semi-circular.
Theorchestra was surrounded by the wall of a podium 2.5 m (8.2 feet) high, surmounted by aparapet. The stage was 41 m (135 ft) long. A series of nine niches were most likely used for statues. Five small rooms were situated beneath the lower terraces, some of which appear to have been animal cages that opened directly into the arena.
One can still observe significant remnants of the stage and its nine niches, as well as the grilled cages in the wall. The stepped terraces are not original, but historians believe that 41 arched openings punctuated the façade.[citation needed]
Slaves, the poor, and women were relegated to the higher tiers while the lower seating areas were reserved for Roman male citizens.[citation needed] For comfort, a linen awning sheltered spectators from the hot sun.
When Lutetia was sacked during the barbarian raids of 275, some of the structure's stone work was used to reinforce the city's defences around theÎle de la Cité. However,Chilperic I had it repaired in 577 and gave performances there.[1] Subsequently, the theatre became a cemetery, and was filled in completely following the construction ofwall of Philippe Auguste (ca. 1210).
Centuries later, even though the surrounding neighbourhood (quartier) had retained the nameles Arènes, the exact location was lost. It was discovered byThéodore Vaquer during the building of the Rue Monge between 1860 and 1869, when the Compagnie Générale des Omnibus sought to build a tramway depot on the site.
Spearheaded by the authorVictor Hugo (1802–1885) and a few other intellectuals, a preservation committee called la Société des Amis des Arènes undertook to save the archaeological treasure. In 1878 the face of aRoman baby was found preserved within the cement of a Roman sarcophagus buried within the walls of the Couvent des Filles de Jésus-Christ.[2] Following the demolition of the convent in 1883, one-third of the arena was uncovered. The Municipal Council dedicated funds to restoring the arena and establishing it as a public square, which was opened in 1896.
After the tramway lines and depot were dismantled in 1916 and line 10 of theParis Métro was constructed, the doctor and anthropologistJean-Louis Capitan (1854–1929) continued with additional excavation and restoration of the arena toward the end of World War I. The neighbouring Square Capitan, built on the site of the old Saint-Victor reservoir, is dedicated to his memory. However, a portion of the original arena opposite the stage was lost to buildings which line rue Monge.
