Chester in Cheshire West and Chester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Roman Amphitheatre

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 9, 2024

1. The Roman Amphitheatre Marker

Inscription. The construction of amphitheatres ('double theatres') began in southern Italy and followed the spread of Roman rule. Chester's amphitheatre is the biggest known in Britain. It could seat around 7,000 spectators and would have been a powerful symbol of Roman supremacy on the edge of the empire.

The first amphitheatre
Two amphitheatres have stood on this site. The first smaller amphitheatre was built soon after AD 80. It had stone walls and an earth seating bank. Timber seating later replaced the bank on the north side and a staircase was built against the outer wall.

The second amphitheatre
By the early third century the amphitheatre had been rebuilt and enlarged. The old outer wall was demolished and a new higher one was built Stairways were inserted and the capacity increased to about 7,000.

The arena had four entrances The main entrance was on the north side. A small room in the east entrance, with its gateway to the arena, may have held wild beasts. Above it there may have been a box for officials.

A shrine to the goddess Nemesis (Destiny) was discovered beside the north entrance. It had an altar dedicated

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by the centurion Sextius Marcianus (the one you en see is a replica). A possible earlier shrine was attached to the wall of the first amphitheatre.

The arena wall was plastered and painted a reddish brown to give a marbled effect. Yellow sand covered the area floor; this stopped combatants and and could be easily cleaned.

Erected by English Heritage.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Entertainment.

Location. 53° 11.351′ N, 2° 53.25′ W. Marker is in Chester, England, in Cheshire West and Chester. It is at the intersection of Saint John Street and Pepper Street on Saint John Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chester, England CH1 1DA, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At

Model of the Amphitheatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 9, 2024

2. Model of the Amphitheatre

as rebuilt around the start of the third century AD in its Roman setting.

Height: about 13 metres / 42 feet
Length: about 101 metres / 334 feet
Width: about 88 metres / 290 feet
Capacity: about 7,000 people
The largest amphitheatre currently known in Roman Britain

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Georgian Elegance (within shouting distance of this marker); Roman Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Celebrating Nature's Glory in Art (within shouting distance of this marker); A Tale of Three Gateways (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Roman Amphitheatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Bathing in Style (within shouting distance of this marker); All-round Luxury (within shouting distance of this marker); North West Tower (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Picture of the marker within its surroundings • Can you help?