Trier, was like many ancient Roman cities, had a large amphitheater for cruel gladiatorial contests. This structure was constructed in the 2nd century A.D, partly dug into the slope of the hill and enlarged to accommodate seating for up to 20,000 spectators, during the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161), and was incorporated into the city wall. After Constantius Chlorus moved his residence to the city after 293, it was renovated. Many years later it was used as a quarry (which may explain why there are no terraced rock seating in the amphitheater).
The arena would have been the site of many fierce and gruesome battles; some gladiatorial, others staged between prisoners and animals, or animal against animal. The arena is built over a network of shadowy cellars, dungeons and tunnels, which which would have been used to house these animals together with unfortunate prisoners of the Roman Empire. A moveable platform was able to raise them to the arena for a battle to the death. The area is open to the public for viewing, and is quite damp.
Today, entry to the amphitheater is through the ruins of the original entrance gate, where much of the rock was quarried during the Middle Ages. Originally, the arena would have had two principal entries, one on the north end and another to the south, designed to impress spectators as triumphal portals, with 3 gates. During the 4th-5th centuries, the amphitheater doubled as the town gate. Situated on the city limit of the Augusta Treverorum, in the most western part of Germany, the city and arena served as a place of last resort for the defenders of the Roman Empire against the Germanic tribes.
The arena is designated as part of the Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Compiled from these sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier_Amphitheater
www.livius.org/to-ts/trier/trier-amphitheater.html
httwww.trier-info.de/english/amphitheater-info
www.plurio.net/4/bid,241526/amphitheater-trier.html
www.agermanyattraction.com/germany-attractions-qt/roman-amphitheater.htm
www.plurio.net/4/bid,241526/amphitheater-trier.html
www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187394-c161128/Trier:Germany:Roman.Amphitheater.html
www.spottinghistory.com/view/3794/trier-amphitheater/
www.plurio.net/4/bid,241526/amphitheater-trier.html#sthash.4cvIlVfy.dpuf
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