The House of the Amphitheater is more than just an archaeological site; it is a monument that offers a complete and diverse view of life in Roman Mérida. Its proximity to other historical sites such as the Roman Theater and the Amphitheater makes the visit even more enriching. It should be noted, however, that the name “House of the Amphitheater” simply refers to the location of the excavation, as it had no connection to the Amphitheater.
This archaeological monument is located outside the original walls of Augusta Emerita, in an area that combined residential, industrial, and funerary spaces. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman suburban housing in the Mérida area. It is actually composed of at least two main dwellings: the House of the Amphitheater itself and the House of the Water Tower, dating from the late 1st century AD, which survived until the 3rd century. After its abandonment at the beginning of the 4th century, a necropolis was built over them.
Very few remains of the House of the Water Tower remain, as it was destroyed by the passage of a stream, although the remains of a porticoed courtyard and several rooms can be seen. On the floors of the halls, fragments of black and white mosaics with geometric and plant shapes can be seen, which once decorated two of the rooms. And on the plinth of what were once the walls, there are imitation red, green, and ochre marble slabs with 3rd-century designs based on rhomboid motifs with circles inside, alternating with small rectangles.
For example, part of the private baths still remain, located a few meters from the conduit of the San Lázaro Aqueduct. The last section of this aqueduct reached right up to the walls of Augusta Emerita, and a granite ornament in the shape of a lion’s head appears above one of the arches. Within the enclosure, we can also see some remains of the Roman wall.
The House of the Amphitheater dates from the 1st century AD and remained in use until the 3rd century. Later, in the 4th century, the space was used as a necropolis. It is especially famous for its central porticoed courtyard, also called the peristyle, with a trapezoidal floor plan. This space was the heart of the house in Roman times. It was here that visitors waited, while a slave announced their presence to the owner, to be attended to. This courtyard arranged the rooms around it and distributed the accesses to them. The opening in the roof allowed ventilation in this area of the house, collected rainwater, and provided light to the rooms. The rooms surrounding this courtyard reflect the richness and diversity of Roman culture.
Roman homes of a certain social status, such as the House of the Amphitheater, were often embellished with richly crafted paintings and mosaics that adorned the floors of various rooms, hallways, and chambers. For example, the large decorative geometric mosaics, such as the “Autumn Mosaic,” also known as the “Harvest Mosaic,” depict scenes from the grape harvest and grape treading, with the goddess Venus accompanied by Cupid.
Another mosaic floor in the House of the Amphitheater illustrates a diversity of marine fauna: the “Fish Mosaic,” which includes elaborate figures representing different types of fish. These artistic representations are a testament to the skill and creativity of Roman artists.
The kitchen and baths area of the House of the Amphitheater offers a unique insight into the daily customs and well-being of the ancient inhabitants. The design and layout of these areas speak to a culture that valued both gastronomy and hygiene. In the kitchen, you can still see remains of the utensils used for cooking, as well as the remains of the mills used to hand-grind the grain into flour. The kitchen was used by domestic employees, where they worked and ate.
On the grounds, you can see the mausoleum of Gaius Julius Succesianus, dating from the 2nd century. A lintel was found in this mausoleum, now located in the Museum of Roman Art, on which two human-shaped figures are sculpted, representing the rivers of Augusta Emerita: the Anas (Guadiana) and the Barraecca (Albarregas). Tombs and burial sites from different historical periods can also be found in the area occupied by the houses, as the area occupied by the houses was used as a necropolis after their abandonment (around the 3rd century).
