Archaeological Site
The Amphitheatre and the Large Theatre
Pompeii · Campania
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Archaeological Site
- COUNTRY
- Italy
- REGION
- Pompeii · Campania
- DURATION
- Half a day – 1 day
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
The Amphitheatre of Pompeii, built around 80 BC, is the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre, predating the Colosseum by 150 years. It held some 20,000 spectators for gladiatorial games, and its elliptical bowl, with its seating banks and the spina down the middle, is the most complete early amphitheatre to survive. Beside it stands the Large Theatre, a Greek-style theatre cut into the hillside for plays and performances, and the smaller Odeon for music and poetry. Together they form the entertainment quarter of the city at the southeast edge of the site, and the most complete record of Roman public entertainment anywhere.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
The Amphitheatre was built around 80 BC, shortly after Pompeii became a Roman colony, by the duoviri Quinctius Valgus and Marcius Porrius, who also built the Odeon. It is the earliest known permanent stone amphitheatre in the Roman world — earlier arenas were temporary wooden structures. In AD 59 a riot between the Pompeians and the Nucerians during a gladiatorial game led the senate to ban games at Pompeii for ten years. The Large Theatre, beside it, was built in the 2nd century BC on a Greek model and enlarged in the Augustan period; the Odeon was built in 80 BC for smaller performances.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The Amphitheatre — the elliptical bowl, the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre, with its seating banks and the spina.
The Large Theatre — the hillside theatre for plays, with its cavea and the stage.
The Odeon — the small roofed theatre for music and poetry, beside the Large Theatre.
The Quadriporticus — the colonnaded courtyard beside the theatres where the gladiators’ barracks were housed.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
The Amphitheatre is the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre, and the one that shows the form before the Colosseum perfected it. For a visitor, the entertainment quarter is the most complete record of Roman public spectacle anywhere, and the amphitheatre is the one building at Pompeii that most clearly connects to the Colosseum most visitors already know.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
MAP & LOCATION
The Amphitheatre and the Large Theatre
The Amphitheatre and the Large Theatre, Pompeii, Campania, Italy
40.7542, 14.4917
MORE ATTRACTIONS
More to see in Pompeii
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THINGS TO DO
Things to do nearby
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Forum — a restaurant near the Pompeii entrance, for a quick pasta and a glass of Lacryma Christi wine
President — a long-standing restaurant near the ruins, for classic Campanian cooking, book ahead
Kytta — a pizzeria near the Pompeii Scavi station, for a pizza after the ruins
Villa dei Misteri — a restaurant and wine bar near the Villa dei Misteri entrance, for the local Vesuvius wines
Lupanar Burger — a casual burger and beer spot near the entrance, for a quick meal
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotel Forum — a hotel in modern Pompei town, near the ruins, with a rooftop and a restaurant
Hotel Vittoria — a hotel near the Pompeii entrance, with a garden and views of Vesuvius
Hotel Maiuri — a comfortable hotel near the ruins, named after the archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri
Resort & Winery Villa dei Misteri — a vineyard stay near the ruins, with Vesuvius wines and a restaurant
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
PART OF
Keep exploring
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