Ancient stadium in Aphrodisias
An ancient stadium in Aphrodisias (southwestern Turkey), which has been preserved in very good condition. The facility could accommodate about 30,000 spectators and was built at the end of the 1st century CE.
The building was approximately 270 meters long by 60 meters wide. Gladiators and athletes entered the arena through tunnels located on either side of the short ends.
The arena hosted sports competitions such as running, long jumping, wrestling, discus, and javelin throwing. Gladiator fights and fights with wild animals also took place on the sand.
In the 4th century CE, typical sports competitions began to be abandoned in favor of entertainment popular among the Romans; for this purpose, the stadium was converted into an amphitheater.
