Mérida amphitheatre
Encyclopedia
The Amphitheatre of Merida, was built in the roman colony of Emerita Augusta
, which was founded in 25 B.C. by Octavius Augustus
, emeritus
soldiers discharged from the Roman army, two veteran legions of the Cantabrian Wars
: Legio V Alaudae
and Legio X Gemina
. The city was the capital of the Roman province
of Lusitania
. The term emeritus meant in latin "retired" and referred to retired soldiers with honor.
The amphitheater is part of The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, which is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain. It was declared a World Heritage Site
by UNESCO
in 1993.
ial combats. between beasts or men and beasts, so-called venationes.
The sand had a 'fossa bestiaria' in the center, which was covered with wood and sand. This fossa is used to house animals that later would face the gladiators.
Its design consists of: a grandstand with ima, media and summa cavea, and a central arena. The stands had a carrying capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators and available -Scalae- stairs and hallways that connected the different parts -cune.
The ima cavea had of a row reserved for the ruling class and 10 more for the public commoner. Also built two stands located at both sides of the minor axis, one above the main entrance hall and another in front. Under them were the inscriptions with which they could date the amphitheater.
The amphitheater is located in these conditions because this is where they faced the Romans against the Carthaginians in the Punic wars
.
Emerita Augusta
The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain. Mainly of Emerita Augusta, ancient capital of Lusitania . It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993....
, which was founded in 25 B.C. by Octavius Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
, emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
soldiers discharged from the Roman army, two veteran legions of the Cantabrian Wars
Cantabrian Wars
The Cantabrian Wars occurred during the Roman conquest of the modern provinces of Cantabria, Asturias and León, against the Asturs and the Cantabri. They were the final stage of the conquest of Hispania.-Antecedents:...
: Legio V Alaudae
Legio V Alaudae
Legio quinta Alaudae sometimes known as Gallica, was levied by Julius Caesar in 52 BC from native Gauls. Their emblem was an elephant, and their cognomen Alaudae came from the high crest on their helmets, typical of the Gauls, which made them look like larks...
and Legio X Gemina
Legio X Gemina
Legio decima Gemina , was one of the four legions used by Julius Caesar in 58 BC, for his invasion of Gaul. There are still records of the X Gemina in Vienna in the beginning of the 5th century. The legion symbol was a bull...
. The city was the capital of the Roman province
Roman province
In Ancient Rome, a province was the basic, and, until the Tetrarchy , largest territorial and administrative unit of the empire's territorial possessions outside of Italy...
of Lusitania
Lusitania
Lusitania or Hispania Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal south of the Douro river and part of modern Spain . It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people...
. The term emeritus meant in latin "retired" and referred to retired soldiers with honor.
The amphitheater is part of The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, which is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain. It was declared a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
in 1993.
History
Construction was popular with more depth than the theater itself, and was inaugurated in the year 8 B.C. This building was intended for gladiatorGladiator
A gladiator 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 gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
ial combats. between beasts or men and beasts, so-called venationes.
Architectural features
Had an elliptical shape, and had a major axis of 126 m. and one less than 102 m, with these measures in the arena of 64 m. by 41 m. respectively.The sand had a 'fossa bestiaria' in the center, which was covered with wood and sand. This fossa is used to house animals that later would face the gladiators.
Its design consists of: a grandstand with ima, media and summa cavea, and a central arena. The stands had a carrying capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators and available -Scalae- stairs and hallways that connected the different parts -cune.
The ima cavea had of a row reserved for the ruling class and 10 more for the public commoner. Also built two stands located at both sides of the minor axis, one above the main entrance hall and another in front. Under them were the inscriptions with which they could date the amphitheater.
The amphitheater is located in these conditions because this is where they faced the Romans against the Carthaginians in the Punic wars
Punic Wars
The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E. At the time, they were probably the largest wars that had ever taken place...
.