Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre

Caerleon in south Wales was a legionary fortress town known as Isca. The fortress housed 5,500 soldiers, who wanted entertaining. One of the main ways to relax was to go to the baths, but a more exciting pastime was the amphitheatre, where they could see gladiator fights, wild animals being slaughtered or killing criminals, and where they could also train and hold ceremonies.

I visited Caerleon in August 2010 and took a few pictures of the amphitheatre. Here they are!

The main entrance to the amphitheatre

Looking sideways from the top of the seating area. The seats were wooden, resting on earth banks. Stone walls on the outside strengthened the structure.

A shrine, perhaps for Nemesis, the goddess of revenge. A statue of Nemesis would have stood in the alcove at the back.

Steps leading up to the seats.

Reconstruction of soldiers training inside the amphitheatre.