Ancient Roman circus of Arles, Roman archaeological site in Arles, France.
The Ancient Roman Circus of Arles is an archaeological site near the Rhône valley with impressive remains of ancient seating sections and racing tracks. The venue still displays the substructure of its underground foundation areas and exterior walls that formed this ancient sporting complex.
The circus was built around 149 CE under Emperor Antoninus Pius and served as the primary venue for chariot races and cavalry competitions. It remained in use until the 6th century, when it gradually fell out of favor.
The circus served as a social gathering where people from all walks of life watched chariot races and animal hunts together. These spectacles created shared moments that reinforced community bonds across the city.
The ruins are located at Avenue Jean-Monnet and can be explored on foot, with some underground sections accessible to visitors. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven and some areas show weathered surfaces.
The structure was built on marshy ground and required an extraordinary foundation technique using thousands of wooden stakes to achieve stability. This construction method shows the technical skill of Roman engineers when working on difficult terrain.
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