Cirencester Amphitheatre

Cirencester Amphitheatre was a Roman amphitheatre in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.[1] Its remains are scheduled as an ancient monument.[2]

The remains of the Roman amphitheatre at Cirencester, in 2012

Archaeological digs have uncovered the earthworks, revealing the outline of the construction, which is still visible, with the banking reaching 25 feet from the bottom of the arena.[1] The arena itself is approximately 150 feet (46 m) by 135 feet (41 m).[3] Roman artefacts including coins and pottery have been discovered on the site.[4] It is estimated that it was constructed towards the beginning of the 2nd century.[1]

A view of the excavation area on the north-east quadrant: a thermal image captured in darkness

In Roman Britain, Cirencester was known as Corinium Dobunnorum, and was the second biggest town in Britannia, after Londinium (London).[1] This amphitheatre is also the second largest, which indicates the significance of the location in Roman times.[1] Although only slightly larger in diameter than the amphitheatre in Silchester, it has much higher sides.[5] The earthworks show evidence of tiered wooden seats for around 8000 people,[6] placed upon terraces made of stone,[1] although a timber-only structure may have existed before the 2nd century.[7] There are two entrances, at the north-east and south-west ends of the stadium.[1]

During the 5th century, when the Western Roman Empire was under attack and soldiers returned to Rome to defend it, the amphitheatre was fortified to defend against the invading Saxons.[1][8] Wooden structures were erected within the arena, placed in postholes, and the north-east entrance was partly blocked.[4][9]

Unlike other amphitheatres, it is aligned in parallel to the streets of the town.[10]

It has also been referred to as the 'Bull Ring', because the sport of bull-baiting used to take place there.[11]

In 2012, plans were announced by the Cirencester Town Council to improve access and signage at the site.[12] Further plans for a visitor centre and car park followed in 2014.[13]

See also

References
  1. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (1987), P.H. Reed (ed.), English Heritage, Hampstead Road, London: English Heritage / Macdonald Queen Anne Press, p. 31, ISBN 0-356-12773-7
  2. Historic England. "Long Barrow and Roman Amphitheatre and cemetery (1003320)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  3. Joan Liversidge (1968), Britain in the Roman Empire, Volume 1968, Part 2, Routledge & K. Paul, p. 377
  4. C. J. Arnold (1984), Roman Britain to Saxon England: an archaeological study, Routledge, p. 37, ISBN 978-0-7099-0513-4
  5. Michael Gordon Fulford, The Silchester amphitheatre: excavations of 1979-85, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1989, ISBN 978-0-907764-12-0
  6. "Cirencester Amphitheatre History". Histovirus. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  7. "Amphitheatre". Corinium Museum. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  8. "Cirencester Amphitheatre". English Heritage. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  9. Historic England. "Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre (1089343)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  10. Michael Gordon Fulford (1989), The Silchester amphitheatre: excavations of 1979-85, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, ISBN 978-0-907764-12-0
  11. History of Cirencester and the Roman city Corinium, G. H. Harmer, 1886, p. 261
  12. "Cirencester Roman amphitheatre plans unveiled". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  13. "Venue plan for Cirencester's Roman amphitheatre". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
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