amphitheaters

An amphitheatre, also spelled amphitheater in American English, is a large, open-air venue with seating arranged in concentric or adjacent tiers around a central performance area. The term derives from Latin amphitheatrum, meaning "around the theatre" or "on both sides of the stage," reflecting its circular or oval plan that surrounds the arena. Amphitheatres are distinct from theatres, which typically present a stage and audience on one side.

The typical design is oval or circular, with the arena at ground level and seating surrounding it on multiple levels. Construction often used stone and brick vaults, with a network of corridors and entrances called vomitoria that allowed rapid crowd movement. The exterior facade featured arches and decorative elements, while the interior used color-coded seating and an awning system, the velarium, to protect spectators from sun and rain. The central arena floor could be covered with sand to absorb blood or dust and to accommodate various performances.

Roman amphitheatres hosted gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, staged combats, executions, and other spectacles, reflecting imperial propaganda and popular entertainment. The Colosseum in Rome, the Amphitheatre of Pompeii, the Arènes de Nîmes, and the Amphitheatre of El Djem are among the best known surviving examples. Some were later repurposed or fell into disuse after the decline of imperial entertainments.

Today, many amphitheatres survive as archaeological and tourist sites. They provide insight into Roman engineering and social life and, in some cases, remain in use as concert or opera venues, such as the Verona Arena. Conservation efforts focus on stabilizing structures, preventing decay, and balancing public access with preservation.