The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is a Roman period amphitheatre located in the southeastern corner of the ancient city of Pompeii, near the Sarno Gate. It is the oldest surviving permanent stone amphitheatre in the Roman world, predating the Colosseum in Rome by over a century. The structure was designed for gladiatorial games and public spectacles and could accommodate approximately 20,000 spectators.

Constructed in circa 70 BCE, the amphitheatre of Pompeii served as a central venue for gladiatorial combats, animal hunts (venationes), and possibly public executions. Contemporarily, it was known as a spectacula rather than an amphitheatrum, since the latter term was not yet in use at the time. It is an elliptical, open-air structure, entirely free-standing and built using local materials such as opus incertum. Its preservation is due to the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which buried the city under volcanic ash. Since its excavation, it has provided critical archaeological insight into Roman entertainment, architecture, and urban planning.

circa 80 BCE

Construction
After Pompeii was established as a Roman colony in 80 BCE under Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the amphitheatre was constructed sometime between 80–70 BCE, by two local magistrates, Quintus Valgus and Marcus Porcius (relative of Cato the Younger), who also built the palaestra next to it. The construction was part of a broader Romanization effort, providing the city with architectural elements common in Roman civic life. The date of construction is confirmed by inscriptions. It was constructed shortly after Pompeii's induction as a Roman colony, and an inscription on the amphitheatre honouring the donors cites one of their motives being "to demonstrate the honour of the colony" perhaps indicating the amphitheatre's role in establishing Roman influence in Pompeii.

Imperial Period
During the early Imperial era (27 BCE–79 CE), the amphitheatre continued to function as the principal entertainment venue of Pompeii. A notable incident occurred in 59 CE, recorded by the historian Tacitus (Annals, XIV.17), in which a violent riot between Pompeiians and Nucerians (residents of Nuceria) during a gladiator show led to a Senate-imposed ten-year ban on such games in the city. Some events, however, like beast hunting and athletic competition were still allowed to take place. This may have been due to the intervention of empress Poppaea Sabina and a local magistrate.

Preservation
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE buried the amphitheatre under volcanic ash. Unlike many structures in Rome, it was not repurposed in later centuries, allowing for its preservation in near-original form.

Modern Rediscovery
Excavations (circa 18th century–present) began in the 18th century and continued intermittently. The amphitheatre has been the subject of extensive archaeological study. In the modern era, it has hosted limited public events, including concerts and exhibitions, although its primary function remains that of an archaeological site. Six bodies were found during the excavations.

circa 80 BCE

The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is an entirely free-standing elliptical structure, measuring approximately 135 meters in length and 104 meters in width, with an arena space of around 66.7 by 35.1 meters. It was constructed using the opus incertum technique with local materials, primarily Sarno limestone and volcanic tufa. The building does not rely on a natural slope for support, unlike many Greek theatres or earlier Roman amphitheatres, but instead uses a system of embankments and vaulted substructures to support the tiers of seating.

The seating area, or cavea, is divided into three horizontal sections: the ima cavea (lowest), media cavea (middle), and summa cavea (uppermost). This tripartite division reflected the Roman social hierarchy, with elite citizens seated closest to the arena and the lower classes occupying the higher tiers. Access to these seating areas was managed through a series of corridors and staircases, including vomitoria, which allowed for efficient movement of spectators. The Amphitheatre was designed to host around 20,000 people. The design of the lower entrances for higher-class citizens, who would have been seated closest to the arena, has been noted for the unique views, striking for both the light flooding the dark tunnel and the roar of the crowd as they entered the amphitheatre, creating a dramatic experience.

There is no underground hypogeum beneath the arena, distinguishing this amphitheatre from later examples like the Colosseum in Rome. Performers and animals entered the arena directly via axial entrances located at either end of the long axis. These entrances were also used for removing the dead or injured during events. No definitive archaeological evidence has been found to confirm the presence of a velarium (canvas awning) system for shading the spectators. While later Roman amphitheatres often included such infrastructure, the Pompeii amphitheatre likely relied on natural light and shade. The only internal features of the amphitheatre at Pompeii were a corridor that cut into the base of cavea, the tiered semicircular seating space. This corridor ran the circumference of the amphitheatre and is used to access the arena.

The amphitheatre also contained decorative elements, including wall paintings and graffiti found in the access corridors. Some of these depict gladiatorial scenes, suggesting that the interior was at least partly adorned with thematic imagery. Nearby, the palaestra (athletic training ground) was positioned to the west of the amphitheatre and may have been used for public exercises or events linked to the games.