Amphitheatre (Reg II, Ins 6)

The amphitheatre lies to the south of the Via dell'Abbondanza near the Sarno Gate. It was completed in 80BC, having been commissioned by two magistrates, C. Quintus Valgus and M. Porcius (these two magistrates also commissioned the Small Theatre, or Odeon).
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The arena was eliptical and surrounded by a parapet more than two metres high, originally painted with scenes of the hunt and contests. The ima cavea was for persons of rank and was divided into sectors; the central part of the first four rows consisted of four wide platforms for the bisellia, those on the east reserved for decurions and those on the west for the duoviri and the sponsors of the games. The media and summa cavae were divided into cunei by flights of stairs. .. .. Posters advertising the games and illustrating the programme appear frequently on the walls of Pompeii. The spectacles were passionately participated in by the crowds and various gladiators became highly popular, as witnessed by the inscriptions. ,,

An impressive structure, it measures approximately 135 x 104 metres and could hold about 20,000 people. The oldest Roman amphitheatre, it differs from later structures in several key aspects: its entrance ramps were all on the outside (pictured left), there were no underground areas beneath the arena, and much of the arena was dug out to a level below that of the surrounding area. ,, ,, An upper gallery, which was separated from the other areas and had its own stairs and entrances was probably reserved for women and children. .. In the upper section holes can still be seen into which poles were inserted to hold up the large velarium used to protect spectators from the elements. .. The amphitheatre was used exclusively for sports, gladiatorial contests and spectacles involving wild animals. It drew crowds from the surrounding towns including Herculaneum. As with some sports today, support could be fanatical. So much so that, during a gladatorial contest in 59AD, fighting broke out between the local Pompeiians and visiting supporters from the nearby town of Nuceria (now Nocera); because of the violence, which left many dead and even more injured, the Senate prohibited Pompeii from holding similar events for a period of ten years. (This measure was revoked three years later after the earthquake of 62AD).

Central Baths (Reg IX, Ins 4, 5)

The Central Baths lie at the intersection of two of Pompeii's main streets, Via Stabiana and Via di Nola. Construction of these baths began after the earthquake of 62AD following the latest thinking, letting in more light to the interior and providing more exercise space outside. The baths, oddly, did not have a frigidarium, but did have a laconicum instead.

As with the Suburban Baths in Herculaneum, the baths were not divided into separate men's and women's sections and were probably used exclusively by men. At the time of the eruption the construction of the bath complex was still incomplete - the swimming pool was unfinished and the gymnasium was yet to be started.

Forum Baths (Reg VII, 5)

The Forum Baths lie at the junction of the Via del Foro and the Via delle Terme. They were built in the early years of the Roman colony from public funds by the duovir Lucius Caesius and the aediles Caius Occius and Lucius Niraemius. Although these baths are not the largest in Pompeii, they are amongst the most interesting, having many decorative motifs.

..Mens Baths: (Entrances A, B and C).


..Facilities: (Entrance D).

..Women's Baths: (Entrance E).


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The layout of the baths appears to be based on the older Stabian Baths. The complex was divided into two separate parts with the furnace (praefurnium) in between providing hot water and steam to both. .. .. In addition, the bronze brazier used to heat the room has also survived. .. The caldarium with its apse (pictured above) is centrally heated with hot air circulating below the raised floor and through air spaces in the walls. The vaulted ceiling is decorated with a strigil design in stucco. .. The labrum (pictured above and on the right) was filled with cold water. Around the edge is a bronze-letter inscription bearing the name of the official who had it set up, indicating that he spent the grand sum of 5,250 sesterces for the purpose.

The men's baths had three entrances (A, B and C) as shown in the above diagram, whilst the women's had a single entrance (E) on the Via delle Terme. The men's rooms are still in a remarkably good state of preservation, especially the barrel vault of the tepidarium (shown above) which still bears part of the first century AD stucco decoration. ..