The Roman Amphitheatre

The amphitheatre was a place of entertainment for the people of Calleva Atrebatum and could accommodate between 3, 500 and 7, 250 spectators.

Spectators arriving at the amphitheatre for a gladiatorial contest in about AD 250. The road from the town was probably lined with food stalls and souvenir shops. (Drawing by Peter Urmston) © English Heritage It was built on the eastern edge of the town between AD 55 and 75. Earth was excavated to create a circular arena which was enclosed by wooden wall. The soil was reused to form circular banks and terraces. 

Amphitheatres were typically used for gladiatorial combat, wild beast fights and public executions. Recovered horse bones suggest that equestrian events took place at this amphitheatre.

This cross section shows the amphitheatre when it was rebuilt. The stone walls supported tiers of wooden seating.© English Heritage
 In the third century, the arena wall was rebuilt in stone and the creation of two new entrances changed the plan of the arena into a typical, elliptical shape. The two recesses might have provided a refuge for combatants or housed shrines.