The Roman Amphitheatre By: Adam Preslar

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The Roman AmphitheatreBy Adam Preslar
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Basics

• Construction of the stone Amphitheatre was begun
  in 16 B.C.
• It is arranged in an oval, measuring 136m and 107
  m across its two axis.
• It can seat 2400 spectators in 34 rows of seats.
• The seats are 16 inches wide.
• Seating would have been arranged by class, with
  the wealthiest/most influential people sitting
  under shaded covers.

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Uses

• Would have been the site of gladiatorial bouts,
  and a general purpose meeting place.
• Would not have held races.

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Not just an Arena

• In the Middle Ages, the amphitheatre was used as
  a fortress.
• It housed a château and two churches, from the
  600s to 1226 when they were demolished.
• Two towers still remain from this period

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Modern Use

• Interestingly enough, the arena is still used.
• In the summer you can watch Bullfighting.
• There are two types of fights, traditional (when
  the bull is killed) and Camarguaise where the
  object is to remove a rosette of flowers from his
  head.
• The arena was also retrofitted with a removable
  covering in 1988, so it could be used in the
  winter.

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Sources

• http//www.beyond.fr/villphotos/arlesmuseumsP01.ht
  ml
• http//www.beyond.fr/villphotos/arlesmuseumsP02.ht
  ml
• http//seniortravel.about.com/od/thetripofalifetim
  e/ig/Provence-Adventure/The-Roman-Amphitheatre--Ar
  les.htm
• http//seniortravel.about.com/od/thetripofalifetim
  e/ig/Provence-Adventure/Amphitheatre-near-Arles-ca
  f-.htm
• http//archaeology.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.ht
  m?sitehttp//www.athenapub.com/rhone1.htm
• http//www.suite101.com/article.cfm/virtual_journe
  ys/99177/2
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphitheatre
• http//www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050529/spectrum
  /main6.htm

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Questions?
Questions?