Amongst the 400 Roman amphitheatres that are still in existence, this among the 20 largest.
The Roman’s specifically designed their amphitheatres for putting on spectacular combats between gladiators or animals.
In Roman times, the building could hold 24,000 spectators, there were over 34 tiers of terraces, and it was divided into four self-contained zones.
The outer façade is 21 meters high (69 feet), two stories and 60 arcades.
It consists of two theatres set face to face to make an oval arena so that everyone would have an unrestricted view no matter where they were seated.
It is 133 meters long (145 yards) and 101 meters wide (110 yards), with an arena measuring 68 meters (74 yards) by 38 meters (42 yards). To get a relative perspective, compare that to today's football fields.
All the services necessary for the shows were under the arena: stores, cages for lions, crocodiles, gladiators.
The engineers designed trap doors and a very complex hoist-lift system so the animals and gladiators could enter the arena unnoticed.
The building is still being used and now has a capacity of 16,300 spectators, a heating system and a movable cover that glides over when necessary.
Today's events include two annual bullfights, public events and concerts.
Measuring 136 m (446 ft) in length and 109 m (358 ft) wide, with 120 arches it dates back to the first century BC.
And one last Roman antiquity in Provence that I will mention is The Pont Julien, a stone arch bridge over the Calavon river dating from 3 BC.
The retired John is quite impressed with the south of France.
Mulling over it all with a glass of local wine is always a good choice.
The building is still being used and now has a capacity of 16,300 spectators, a heating system and a movable cover that glides over when necessary.
Today's events include two annual bullfights, public events and concerts.
About 30 kms (19 miles) away is another Roman amphitheatre in Arles.
The Arles amphitheatre was built in 90AD and could seat over 20,000 spectators for chariot races and hand to hand battles.
Measuring 136 m (446 ft) in length and 109 m (358 ft) wide, with 120 arches it dates back to the first century BC.
The towers jutting out from the top are medieval add-ons.
The Arles Amphitheatre is still in use today for bullfighting. This takes place during the festival of Feria d’Arles in April and in September.
Musical concerts are also held in the amphitheatre.
Arles also has a Roman theatre.
NOTE: There is a difference between an amphitheatre and a theatre.
Theatres were built for theatre and music performances.
They are different from amphitheatres because they are semi circular and the seating is on one side only.
And one last Roman antiquity in Provence that I will mention is The Pont Julien, a stone arch bridge over the Calavon river dating from 3 BC.
The supporting columns have openings to allow floodwater to pass through.
The engineer in John is quite impressed with the Romans.
The retired John is quite impressed with the south of France.
Mulling over it all with a glass of local wine is always a good choice.
3 comments:
Linda
That was very informative with some fantastic photographs. I had no idea that there is bull fighting in France or that crocodiles were part of the Roman entertainment. I hope John did a check on the complex hoist system to identify how it could be improved.
Thanks again for taking the time to put such a comprehensive post together.
Thanks Gordon. I had no idea about the alligators or bull fighting in France either. The bulls in France are different than the ones in Spain - apparently the French ones (Camargue bull) get really angry and stay angry, even when the threat stops. As expected, it is a controversial "sport". Linda
This was a highlight.
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