The construction of the Roman Amphitheater was planned together with that of the Roman Theater in what was then known as the colony of Augusta Emerita, a Roman city founded in 25 B.C. by order of Emperor Augustus and what we now know as Mérida, Spain. Although they were built at different times, both the Amphitheater and the Theater were designed to complement Roman entertainment. The main difference between the two lies in their shape: the amphitheater is oval, while the theater is a semicircle. Both structures allow us to better understand the lifestyle and public spectacles enjoyed by Roman society in ancient times. Continue reading “The Roman Amphitheater of Mérida, Spain”
