The Amphitheater of Caligula (Latin : ''Amphitheatrum Caligulae'') was an Roman amphitheater, built during the reign of the emperor

Caligula Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (31 August 12 – 24 January 41), better known by his nickname Caligula (), was the third Roman emperor, ruling from 37 until his assassination in 41. He was the son of the popular Roman general Germanicu ...

and demolished only a few years after its construction. It was sited on the

Campus Martius The Campus Martius (Latin for the "Field of Mars", Italian ''Campo Marzio'') was a publicly owned area of ancient Rome about in extent. In the Middle Ages, it was the most populous area of Rome. The IV rione of Rome, Campo Marzio, which cove ...

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, probably near the

Saepta Julia The Saepta Julia was a building in the Campus Martius of Rome, where citizens gathered to cast votes. The building was conceived by Julius Caesar and dedicated by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in 26 BCE. The building replaced an older structure, called ...

, since the inscription mentioning it was just to the north of the Saepta. Work was begun on the amphitheater between 37 and 41 by Caligula, who wished to give Rome a second stone amphitheater alongside that of Statilius Taurus. Still incomplete on his death, it was abandoned and demolished by

Claudius Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (; 1 August 10 BC – 13 October AD 54) was the fourth Roman emperor, ruling from AD 41 to 54. A member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, Claudius was born to Nero Claudius Drusus, Drusu ...

. Around 46, Claudius repaired the Aqua Virgo, damaged by the construction of the amphitheater. His restoration was marked by an inscription on the Arch of Claudius, which formed part of the aqueduct and spanned the

Via Lata The Via del Corso is a main street in the historical centre of Rome. It is straight in an area otherwise characterized by narrow meandering alleys and small piazzas. Considered a wide street in ancient times, the Corso is approximately 10 metres w ...

; this includes the phrase " ��AQUAE VIRGINIS DISTVRBATOS PER C(AIVM) CAESAREM" (of the Aqua Virgo, damaged by C iusCaesar).CIL 6, 1252

References

{{coord, 41.8998, N, 12.4777, E, source:wikidata, display=title Buildings and structures completed in the 1st century

Caligula

See also

References