Amphitheaters: Design Principles of Classical Architecture
- Yash
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
PART 3 - FAMOUS CLASSICAL AMPHITHEATERS
The design and construction of Roman amphitheaters stood as monuments to their ingenuity and craftsmanship. From the Colosseum in Rome to the early Amphitheater of Pompeii, the well-preserved Pula Arena, and the versatile Arles Amphitheater, each structure reveals distinct construction techniques, seating hierarchies, and event traditions that illuminate the diversity and sophistication of Roman engineering and life.
The Colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheatre, stands as the most iconic of these structures. Built primarily from travertine stone, Roman cement, bricks, and tuff blocks, it incorporated around 100,000 cubic meters of travertine and 300 tonnes of iron clamps to bind its massive stones. Reaching nearly 50 meters in height, the Colosseum’s façade displayed all three major architectural orders—Tuscan, Ionic, and Corinthian—with a fourth story adorned with decorative panels and bronze insets. Inside, seating arrangements strictly reflected Roman social hierarchy: emperors such as Vespasian, Titus, or Domitian occupied the prestigious Imperial Box on the marble podium, alongside the Vestal Virgins and elite senators. Other high-ranking officials and priests were seated nearby, while ordinary citizens filled the upper tiers. Beneath the arena, the hypogeum—a sophisticated two-level network of tunnels and shafts—enabled rapid scenery changes and the surprise release of animals and gladiators through dozens of trapdoors. These engineering marvels supported dramatic spectacles such as gladiator combats, public executions, and especially venationes, or animal hunts, featuring exotic creatures like lions, elephants, and hippos to display the reach and power of Rome.
In contrast to the grandeur of the Colosseum, the Amphitheater of Pompeii, constructed around 80 BC, is notable as the earliest known permanent stone amphitheater. Built from local stone in a simple oval form, it maximized visibility for its 20,000 spectators. Like in Rome, seating reflected the city’s social hierarchy, with magistrates and elite citizens in the front rows and ordinary townspeople higher up. The Pompeii arena hosted gladiatorial games and animal hunts, as evidenced by wall paintings and inscriptions preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius. Unlike later amphitheaters, however, Pompeii’s lacked elaborate underground systems, so animals such as bulls and boars entered at ground level rather than through hidden lifts or trapdoors.
Moving east to the Adriatic, the Pula Arena in Croatia, constructed between 27 BC and AD 68, showcases another regional variation. Distinguished by its elliptical plan (132 x 105 meters), three-story façade, and the preservation of all four side towers, the Pula Arena could hold up to 23,000 spectators. Advanced amenities, such as cisterns in the towers for perfumed water fountains and large sails for shade, set it apart. The most prestigious seats were reserved for local magistrates and Roman officials, particularly during the reigns of Augustus, Claudius, and Vespasian. Beneath the arena, a network of tunnels and rooms allowed for the dramatic release of beasts like lions, leopards, and bears during games, making Pula a regional hub for Roman spectacle.
Finally, the Amphitheater of Arles in southern France, built around AD 90, reflects yet another adaptation of the Roman amphitheater model. Constructed from local limestone, its two-tiered structure with 120 arches could accommodate up to 20,000 spectators, with prime seats for Roman officials and local dignitaries. Like its counterparts, Arles hosted gladiator games and animal hunts, utilizing corridors and holding pens beneath the arena for staging wild animals such as bulls and bears. In later centuries, the arena was repurposed as a fortified residential area, and today, its preserved structure continues to host bullfights and cultural events, demonstrating the enduring legacy of these ancient venues.
