The story of the Roman amphitheatre

This book traces the origins and development of that most typical and evocative of Roman monuments, the amphitheatre. It shows how they played a central role in the social and political life of ancient Rome and looks at their origins.

"The Roman amphitheatre was a site of both bloody combat and marvellous spectacle, symbolic of the might of Empire. Yet it had significance beyond mere entertainment; to understand the importance of the amphitheatre is also to understand a key element in the social and political life of the Roman ruling classes. Generously illustrated with 141 photographs and plans, The Story of the Roman Amphitheatre offers a comprehensive picture of the origins, development, and eventual decline of the most typical and evocative of Roman monuments. With a detailed examination of the Colosseum, as well as case studies of significant sites from Italy, Gaul, Spain and Roman North Africa, the book is a fascinating gazetteer for the general reader as well as a valuable tool for students and academics." -- Provided by publisher