Overview
In the Roman republican era, an ancient building for performances was erected near Puteoli, a region that was characterised by strong population growth. However, with the passage of time it proved to be inadequate, so in the 1st century AD the Flavian Amphitheatre was built near the main roads in the area, that is, the Via Domitiana and the road to Naples. The size of this amphitheatre was comparable only to the Colosseum in Rome and the one in Capua. It consisted of three tiers, decorated by an attic at the top, and surrounded by an elliptical portico, inside which was a stall covered with travertine slabs, raised one level above street level. Externally, there were twenty flights of stairs leading to the highest sections of the stands. On the inside, there were ring corridors that allowed spectators access to the cavea through the vomitoria, as well as two grand entrances that gave access to the arena's basement.
