The Roman amphitheatre was a site both of bloody combat and marvellousspectacle symbolic of the might of Empire to understand the importance of theamphitheatre ... » 

The Roman amphitheatre was a site both of bloody combat and marvellousspectacle symbolic of the might of Empire to understand the importance of theamphitheatre is to understand a key element in the social and political life ofthe Roman ruling classes.Generously illustrated with 141 plans and photographs The Story of the RomanAmphitheatre offers a comprehensive picture of the origins development andeventual decline of the most typical and evocative of Roman monuments.With a detailed examination of the Colosseum as well as case studies ofsignificant sites from Italy Gaul Spain and Roman North Africa the book is afascinating gazetteer for the general reader as well as a valuable tool forstudents and academics. «