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The Roman amphitheatre of Amiternum is one of the most significant archaeological complexes in inland Abruzzo. The monument is located near the town of San Vittorino in the municipality of L'Aquila, in an area that preserves important evidence of the Romanisation of ancient Sabina.
Built in the 1st century AD, the amphitheatre was one of the main gathering places in the city of Amiternum. It was used for public spectacles, such as gladiator fights and battles with wild animals, or venationes. The location, peripheral to the Forum, is typical of Roman urban planning, which allowed wide open spaces for this type of structure, and easy access from outside the city.
The structure had an elliptical plan with diameters of approximately 68 and 53 metres. The cavea, supported by 48 stone arches and originally arranged in two brick-clad tiers, could accommodate up to 6,000 spectators. The building's continuous outer corridor, part of the cavea and the monumental entrance to the arena, known as Porta Triumphalis and located on the main east–west axis, are still visible.
It is likely that the amphitheatre was renovated in the century after it was built, but it gradually fell into disuse following the decline of Amiternum. Although some of the structures have remained visible over time, the whole complex was only brought to light with the archaeological excavations of 1880. Further consolidation and restoration works in 1996 have preserved this ancient structure, which is now an essential destination for anyone curious about the Roman history of the L'Aquila area.
