Photos of the Remains From Ancient Syracuse, Sicily

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

Roman forces under M. Claudius Marcellus sacked Syracuse in 211. In 21 B.C., Syracuse became a Roman colonia 'colony'. At this time, according to the Oxford Classical Dictionary, the Roman amphitheater was built, along with a public square by the altar of Hieron II, and a monumental arch.

The plan of the Roman Amphitheater was a typical Roman amphitheater, but it had a square reservoir in the middle, supposedly for crocodiles that would feed on the corpses, according to Sicily - The New Winter Resort. Picturesque Sicily obligingly provides a first-hand description of the Roman Amphitheater at Syracuse, from the late 19th century:

"The arena, in the middle of which is a vast cistern, or 'naumachia,' is surrounded by a wall seven feet in height, with a cornice inscribed with the names of distinguished and privileged persons who once occupied the seats in the lower tiers. Beneath the first tier of sedilia is a vaulted corridor, from which eight gates open into the arena, to give entrance to wild beasts and gladiators. Of the seats on the eastern side, the two lower tiers, which were hewn from the solid rock, only remain; those on the western side of the amphitheatre have almost entirely disappeared, while of the upper tiers hardly a vestige remains."

Sources:

• _{Picturesque Sicily, by William Agnew Paton}
• _{Sicily - The New Winter Resort, by Douglas Brooke Wheelton Sladen. 1908.}
• _{Woodhead, Arthur Geoffrey and Roger J. A. Wilson "Syracuse" The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Simon Hornblower and Anthony Spawforth. © Oxford University Press 1949, 1970, 1996, 2005.}
• _{The Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece}
  

_{Picture: © Giovanni Dall'Orto}

1. Syracuse Map
2. Theater
3. Quarries
4. Ear of Dionysius
5. Altar of Hieron
6. Amphitheater

Previous

• Map of Syracuse, Sicily
• Theatre of Syracuse
• Quarries of Syracuse
• The Ear of Dionysius
• Altar of Hieron
• Roman Amphitheater of Syracuse

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