Editing Ancient Roman architecture (section)

=== Amphitheatre ===
{{Main|Roman amphitheatre}}
{{further|List of Roman amphitheatres}}
[[File:Arenes_de_Nimes_(19).jpg|thumb|Arena of Nîmes ({{Circa|100 CE}})]]
The [[amphitheatre]] was, with the [[triumphal arch]] and [[basilica]], the only major new type of building developed by the Romans.<ref>Henig, p. 26. Blagg also mentions baths, granaries, insulae and large villas.</ref> Some of the most impressive secular buildings are the amphitheatres, over 200 being known and many of which are well preserved, such as that at [[Arles Amphitheatre|Arles]], as well as its progenitor, the [[Colosseum]] in Rome. They were used for [[gladiator]]ial contests, public displays, public meetings and [[bullfight]]s, the tradition of which still survives in Spain and Portugal. Their typical shape, functions and name distinguish them from [[Roman theatre (structure)|Roman theatres]], which are more or less semicircular in shape; from the [[Roman circus|circuses]] (akin to [[hippodrome]]s) whose much longer circuits were designed mainly for horse or chariot racing events; and from the smaller stadia, which were primarily designed for [[sport|athletics]] and footraces.{{sfn|Bomgardner|2000|p=37}}
[[File:Anfiteatro,_El_Jem,_Túnez,_2016-09-04,_DD_09.jpg|thumb|Amphitheatre of El Jem ({{Circa|238 CE}})]]
The earliest Roman amphitheatres date from the middle of the first century BC, but most were built under Imperial rule, from the [[Augustus|Augustan]] period (27 BC–14 AD) onwards.{{sfn|Bomgardner|2000|p=59}} Imperial amphitheatres were built throughout the Roman Empire; the largest could accommodate 40,000–60,000 spectators, and the most elaborate featured multi-storeyed, arcaded façades and were elaborately decorated with [[marble]], [[stucco]] and statuary.{{sfn|Bomgardner|2000|p= 62}} After the end of gladiatorial games in the 5th century and of [[Venatio|animal killings]] in the 6th, most amphitheatres fell into disrepair, and their materials were mined or recycled. Some were razed, and others converted into fortifications. A few continued as convenient open meeting places; in some of these, churches were sited.{{sfn|Bomgardner|2000|pp=201–223}}

Architecturally, they are typically an example of the Roman use of the classical orders to decorate large concrete walls pierced at intervals, where the columns have nothing to support. Aesthetically, however, the formula is successful.

[[File:Trier - Aula Palatina.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Aula Palatina]] of [[Trier]], Germany (then part of the [[Roman province]] of [[Gallia Belgica]]), built during the reign of [[Constantine I]] (r. 306–337 CE)]]