III.—The Excavation of the Roman Amphitheatre at Chester

Abstract

Amphitheatres, although not so ubiquitous as, say, bath-buildings, were common enough in the Roman world to attract a set of terms applicable to their very distinctive structural features. It is true that they varied in construction from a simple earth bank to an elaborate masonry building like the Colosseumat Rome. But certain characteristics were constant, and it seems useful to list the technical terms used to describe amphitheatres. Some of these are scarcely applicable to the relatively simple Chester amphitheatre, while others are etymologically rather dubious. This list itself is almost entirely confined to the structural features since there are easily accessible descriptions of the spectacles which took place within amphitheatres. Previous lists have been given by Dyggve in his description of the amphitheatre at Salona and by Heidenreich in his report on the civil amphitheatre of Colonia Traiana at Xanten.

Continuity and Religious Practices in Roman Britain: The Case of the Rural Religious Complex at Marcham/Frilford, Oxfordshire

“…Since the banks were created by levelling the area that was to become the arena and placing the excavated material around its perimeter, the bank deposits were characteristically interleaving clay and sand deposits. These banks were not subdivided by radial walls, which is typical of other British amphitheatres, with the exceptions of the military amphitheatres at Caerleon and Thompson 1976;Garner and Wilmott 2007;Wheeler and Wheeler 1928. Chester II. 37 The construction of the banks was not consistent in height or length, which may indicate that work was undertaken by different gangs.…”

“…In several places evidence was found for a stone revetment to the bank, perhaps pointing to maintenance of the banks over time. In addition, the recent excavation of various sections through the banks has revealed no traces of seating in the form of post-holes or beam-slots for wooden superstructures (as at Chester Ib and Caerleon), 37 Wheeler and Wheeler 1928;Thompson 1976;Garner and Wilmott 2007. FIG.…”

“…Evidence for plaster has also been found at Chester Ib, Caerleon, Chichester, and Cirencester II. 41 At Caerleon the plaster, found on the external arena walls, the main entrance and staircases, Thompson 1976;Garner and Wilmott 2007;Wheeler and Wheeler 1928;Fulford 1989;Wacher 1963;Holbrook 1998. 39 Deniger 1997, 108;Holbrook 1998.…”

“…40 Bradley 1976. 41 Thompson 1976;Garner and Wilmott 2007;Wheeler and Wheeler 1928;White 1936;Wacher 1963;Holbrook 1998. was decorated in red paint to imitate masonry joints, which is similar to the plaster used in the interior of the Marcham arena. At the southern point of the arena lies a rectangular stone structure, which was fi rst discovered by Hingley.…”

“…This entrance seems primarily to have been for visual, rather than physical access. 43 Hingley 1982; 44 Thompson 1976;Garner and Wilmott 2007;Wheeler and Wheeler 1928;Bradley 1976;Wacher 1963;Bateman 1994. FIG.…”