List of Roman amphitheatres facts for kids

Map of Roman amphitheatres

Imagine huge, oval-shaped buildings with seats rising all around, open to the sky! These are Roman amphitheatres, and over 230 of their remains have been found across the ancient Roman Empire. They were very important places for public events and shows in Roman times. It's easy to confuse them with Roman theatres, which were usually semicircular. But amphitheatres were designed for a different kind of entertainment, with seating that went all the way around a central arena. Sometimes, a building might have been used as both a theatre and an amphitheatre, especially in Western Europe.

This article will tell you about some of these amazing Roman amphitheatres found in different countries today.

Famous Roman Amphitheatres Around the World
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- England
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Israel
- Italy
- Libya
- Morocco
- The Netherlands
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Wales
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See also

Famous Roman Amphitheatres Around the World

Albania

Durrës (Dyrrhachium): This amphitheatre from the 2nd century AD is a large and important site in Albania.

Algeria

Tipaza (Tipasa): You can find the remains of a Roman amphitheatre in this ancient city.

Austria

Carnuntum (Petronell): This area actually has two Roman amphitheatres, one for civilians and one for the military!
Virunum (Magdalensberg): Another site where you can see the history of Roman entertainment.

Bulgaria

Pula (Pietas Iulia Pola): Located in modern-day Croatia, this amphitheatre from the 1st century AD is very well-preserved.
Sofia (Serdica): In Bulgaria's capital, parts of a 3rd-century AD amphitheatre have been discovered.

Croatia

Pula (Pietas Iulia Pola): The Pula Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and is still used for events today.
Solin (Salona): This large amphitheatre could hold many spectators for ancient Roman shows.

England

Chester (Deva Victrix): Built in the 1st century AD, the Chester Roman Amphitheatre was once the largest in Britain.
Cirencester (Corinium Dobunnorum): This 2nd-century AD amphitheatre is a significant historical site in England.
St Albans (Verulamium): Here, a Roman theatre was adapted to also be used for amphitheatre-style events, showing its almost oval shape.

France

Arles (Arelate): The Arles Amphitheatre from the 1st century AD is still used today for bull games (where the bulls are not harmed), plays, and concerts.
Nîmes (Nemausus): The Arena of Nîmes, also from the 1st century AD, is another incredible example that hosts events like bullfighting and concerts even now.
Lyon (Lugdunum): The Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls was an important meeting place in Roman Gaul.
Paris (Lutetia): The Arènes de Lutèce are the remains of a Roman amphitheatre in the heart of Paris.
Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum): This site shows how grand Roman structures were in ancient France.

Germany

Trier (Augusta Treverorum): This 2nd-century AD amphitheatre is a well-known Roman ruin in Germany.
Xanten (Colonia Ulpia Traiana): Here you can see the remains of a Roman amphitheatre that was part of a large Roman city.

Hungary

Budapest (Aquincum): Budapest is unique because it has two Roman amphitheatres: a civil one and a military one, both from the Roman city of Aquincum.

Israel

Beit Guvrin (Eleutheropolis): This site in Israel has an ancient amphitheatre.
Bet She'an (Scythopolis): Another important Roman city in Israel with amphitheatre remains.

Italy

Rome (Roma): The most famous of all, the Colosseum, built in the 1st century AD, is an iconic symbol of ancient Rome. Rome also had the Amphitheatrum Castrense and the Ludus Magnus, which was a training ground for gladiators.
Pompeii (Pompei): The Amphitheatre of Pompeii, built in the 1st century BC, is one of the oldest known Roman amphitheatres.
Verona (Verona): The Verona Arena from the 1st century AD is still a popular venue for large-scale concerts and opera performances.
Capua (Santa Maria Capua Vetere): This amphitheatre was very important for training gladiators, and another older one is being excavated nearby.
Cagliari (Caralis): The Roman Amphitheatre of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia is a notable site.
Catania (Catăna): The Amphitheatre of Catania is a large Roman structure in Sicily.
Florence (Florentia): The Roman Amphitheatre of Florence shows Roman presence in this famous city.
Milan (Mediolanum): The Milan amphitheatre from the 2nd century AD was once a grand structure in this major city.
Pozzuoli (Puteoli): The Flavian Amphitheater here is another impressive Roman ruin.
Syracuse (Syracusae): The Roman amphitheatre of Syracuse is a significant historical site in Sicily.

Libya

Cyrene (Cyrene): This ancient Greek and Roman city has an amphitheatre.
Leptis Magna (Leptis Magna): A beautifully preserved Roman city with its own amphitheatre.

Morocco

Lixus (Lixus): The Amphitheater of Lixus is a historical site in Morocco.

The Netherlands

Nijmegen (Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum): Although no longer standing, the outline of this amphitheatre is marked in the streets of modern Nijmegen.

Portugal

Conímbriga (Conímbriga): This 1st-century BC amphitheatre is part of a well-preserved Roman settlement.

Romania

Sarmizegetusa (Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa): This amphitheatre was part of the capital of Roman Dacia.

Serbia

Stari Kostolac (Viminacium): The Roman military camp of Viminacium had an amphitheatre.

Spain

Mérida (Emerita Augusta): The Mérida amphitheatre, built at the end of the 1st century BC, is a very well-preserved example in Spain.
Itálica (Italica): The Roman amphitheatre of Italica is a large and impressive ruin.
Tarragona (Tarraco): The Tarragona Amphitheatre from the 2nd century AD is located right by the sea.
Carmona (Carmo): Another site in Spain with Roman amphitheatre remains.
Cartagena (Carthago Nova): This city also has an ancient amphitheatre.

Switzerland

Augst (Augusta Raurica): This Roman settlement has an amphitheatre.
Avenches (Aventicum): The amphitheatre here is a notable Roman ruin in Switzerland.
Martigny (Octodurum): This site also features an ancient Roman amphitheatre.

Syria

Dura Europos (Dura Europos): A small amphitheatre built for soldiers was located here, but its remains were unfortunately destroyed.

Tunisia

El Djem (Thysdrus): The Amphitheatre of El Jem from the 3rd century AD is one of the largest and most impressive Roman amphitheatres in the world, a true marvel!
Carthage (Carthago): The ancient city of Carthage also had a large amphitheatre.
Thuburbo Majus (Colonia Julia Aurelia Commoda): This Roman city has an amphitheatre among its ruins.
Oudna (Uthina): Another significant Roman amphitheatre in Tunisia.

Turkey

Pergamon (Bergama): The remains of a Roman amphitheatre can be seen in this ancient city.

Wales

Caerleon (Isca Augusta): The Caerleon amphitheatre was part of a Roman legionary fortress.
Carmarthen (Moridunum): This town also has remains of a Roman amphitheatre.