Bleso Amphitheater

The Bleso Amphitheater and Rocca Pia form a closely linked monumental complex. The amphitheater was built in the Hadrianic period and partially destroyed in 1461 during construction of the fortress.

Rediscovered in 1948, excavations revealed an elliptical amphitheater with an outer façade and an inner podium separating the seating from the sand-covered arena. It hosted gladiator fights and animal hunts and could seat up to 6,000 spectators. Beneath the arena ran service corridors and tunnels, likely used for animal cages.

Today, the remains can be viewed from the fortress walkways. Two inscriptions survive: one from Hadrian’s reign honoring M. Tullius Rufus for funding the amphitheater, and another from 184 CE commemorating games sponsored by M. Lurius Lucretius.

Gladiatorial combat ended in the early 5th century, while animal hunts continued into the early 6th century.

Address
Tivoli, Italy

Established
2nd century AD