Fall Break, Exploring Southern Tunisia - El Jem, Oct, 2014

Ancient Roman Amphitheater ~ El Jem

The next morning we headed out towards the coast, to make a stop at a must-see place in Tunsia, El Jem.  There we saw the largest amphitheater in Africa.  Quite a sight to behold!  This was built by the Romans, dates back to the 2nd century and held up to 35,000 spectators.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

There were very few tourists here.  This amphitheater is the 3rd largest in the world.  The one in Rome is the largest, as it seats approximately 50,000.

Here are some bits and pieces from Wikipedia:

"The three largest Roman amphitheatres in the world in order of size are the Colosseum, the Amphitheatre Campania and the Amphitheatre of El Djem."

"El Djem is famous for its amphitheater, often incorrectly called a Colosseum, which is capable of seating 35,000 spectators. Only the Flavian Amphitheater in Rome (about 50,000 spectators) and the ruined theatre of Capua are larger.

The amphitheatre at El Djem was built by the Romans under proconsul Gordian, who was acclaimed Emperor at Thysdrus, around 238 and was mainly used for gladiator shows and small chariot races (like inBen-Hur).

Many tourists come here to see what it was like to be inside what was once a place where lions and people met their fate.  The amphitheatre was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. It hosts the annual Festival international de musique symphonique d'El Jem."

There she is! 

Wow!

Mr Gladiator himself!

We almost had the place to ourselves.  There were only a dozen people or so.

This is where the common folk sat.  The royalty and
upper class were in grand booths across, on the other side.

You can just barely see one of our fellow travelers.  He is located up near the top, 5th arch/window from the left.

Down to where they kept the animals and gladiators!

You can just imagine what it must have been like for a gladiator back then.  You would hear the roar of the thousands of people above, and the sounds and smells of the wild animals being kept in their cages near you.
You would be thinking of your upcoming battle and probably your upcoming death.

He knows what it is like to be
in the dungeon!

Just magnificent!

Part of the wall on this side has been destroyed.

 From Historvius.com:
"Having managed to survive the destruction of the city carried out in 238 AD, the damage that one can see at the El Jem Amphitheatre can be attributed to its stint as a citadel in the seventeenth century.  At this time, it was hit by cannon fire and suffered greatly.  It was also quarried for its treasures and masonry over the years, yet still remains one of the most evocative Ancient Roman structures in the world..."

There are many great shops right across the street from the Amphitheater.
They contain antiques, mosaics, pottery, jewelry and some really wonderful old wrought iron!

Every year, there are music festivals held here and thousands of people attend.  I have heard it is really beautiful to be here with the hundreds of candles filling the arches.  

El Jem was also used in the filming of The Gladiator with Russell Crowe.  That I would have liked to have seen!  :)