Amphitheater of Lutetia Parisiorum

This spring I visited the amphitheater of Lutetia in Paris. It is a very special place in a predominantly busy city. When I visited, parents were playing with their children, football was being played and there was rest. 

What we see today is a Gallo-Roman mixed-used amphitheater with a stage. It consisted of an oval arena, two large lateral entryways and a cavea that did not completely encircle the arena. The missing section was taken up by a stage for mimes, pantomimes and singing performances. The arena was where gladiatorial combats (munera) took place and where wild beasts were hunted (venationes). The structure had an exterior gallery and a highly ornamented facade. It has an impressive size, 100 by 130,3 meters and it is one of the largest constructions of its kind in Gaul. Its total capacity is estimated at 17,000 spectators, so almost all inhabitants of the city that time could find a place there.


It consisted of an oval arena, two large lateral entryways and a cavea that did not completely encircle the arena. The missing section was taken up by a stage for mimes, pantomimes and singing performances. The arena was where gladiatorial combats (munera) took place and where wild beasts were hunted (venationes). The structure had an exterior gallery and a highly ornamented facade. 

Meer foto's van Lutetia Parisiorum vind je hier!

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