The Amphitheatre of Mérida ( es, Anfiteatro de Mérida) is a ruined Roman amphitheatre situated in the Roman colony of

Emerita Augusta Emerita may refer to: * ''Emerita'' (crustacean), a genus of crustaceans * Emerita Augusta, an ancient city of Spain * Saint Emerita, 3rd-century martyr; see Digna and Emerita * Emerita, the feminine form of the adjective "emeritus ''Emeritus' ...

, present-day Mérida, in Spain. The city itself, Emerita Augusta, was founded in 25 BC by Augustus, to resettle ''

emeritus ''Emeritus'' (; female: ''emerita'') is an adjective used to designate a retired chair, professor, pastor, bishop, pope, director, president, prime minister, rabbi, emperor, or other person who has been "permitted to retain as an honorary title ...

'' soldiers discharged from the Roman army from two veteran legions of the

Cantabrian Wars The Cantabrian Wars (29–19 BC) (''Bellum Cantabricum''), sometimes also referred to as the Cantabrian and Asturian Wars (''Bellum Cantabricum et Asturicum''), were the final stage of the two-century long Roman conquest of Hispania, in what to ...

(the Legio V Alaudae and Legio X Gemina). The amphitheatre itself was completed in 8 BC. The term ''emeritus'' refers to the soldiers, all of whom had been honorably discharged from service. The city became the capital of the Roman province of

Lusitania Lusitania (; ) was an ancient Iberian Roman province located where modern Portugal (south of the Douro river) and a portion of western Spain (the present Extremadura and the province of Salamanca) lie. It was named after the Lusitani or Lusita ...

. The amphitheatre is part of the

Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landsca ...

, which is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.

History

The amphitheatre was inaugurated in the year 8 BC. This building was intended for

gladiator A gladiator ( la, gladiator, "swordsman", from , "sword") was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gla ...

ial fights and combats between beasts or men and beasts ('' venationes''). Circo romano de Merida.JPG, Amphitheatre of Mérida. Fronton marmol anfiteatro romano de Merida.JPG, Relief of

s from the Amphitheatre of Mérida Anfiteatro Romano Mérida.jpg, Stands of the Roman amphitheater of Mérida.

Architectural features

The amphitheatre has an elliptical shape, and a major axis of and one less than with these measures in the arena of by respectively. The sand-covered arena in the centre had a ''fossa bestiaria'' in the center, which was covered with wood and sand. This ''fossa'' was used to house animals before they were released into the arena. Its design consists of a grandstand with ''ima'', media and ''summa cavea'', and a central arena. The stands had a capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators and had supporting stairs and hallways (''scalae'') that connected the different parts internally. The ''ima cavea'' had of a row reserved for the local élite and ten more for members of the public. There were also two stands located at both sides of the minor axis: one above the main entrance hall and another in front. Under them were the

monumental inscription {, align=right , 250px, The inscription, carved in stone, on the monument of Sir John Young and Dame Joane, erected in 1606 in Bristol.html"_;"title="Bristol_Cathedral,_Bristol">Bristol_Cathedral,_Bristol,_England._Sir_John_entertained_Elizabeth ...

from which the amphitheatre can be dated.

External links

Official website of the City council of Mérida

Official website of the entity that manages the amphitheater and the archaeological ensemble
{{DEFAULTSORT:Merida Amphitheatre Roman amphitheatres in Spain Amphitheatre Amphitheatre of Mérida 8 BC Amphitheatre of Mérida Amphitheatre of Mérida

History

Architectural features

See also

External links