Aquincum military amphitheatre, Roman military amphitheatre in Óbuda district, Budapest, Hungary
The Aquincum military amphitheatre is a Roman ruin in Óbuda with an oval arena surrounded by earthen banks and partially preserved stone walls. The complex had two main entrances and separate chambers for wild animals positioned at opposite ends of the shorter axis.
A building inscription records that the training ground was rebuilt in stone around 145 under Antoninus Pius, with the work carried out by the engineering unit of the Legio II Adiutrix. The site had served the legion as a practice ground since the 1st century, set in a natural depression. In the late Roman period it was used as a fortress, and a silver hoard was found walled up in the south gate.
The arena's north gate held a niche called the porta Libitinae, and on the east side stood a shrine of Nemesis, protectress of the games; inscribed altar stones were found there. The site later served as a fortress, and a silver hoard was found walled up in the south gate, linked to the Lombards in the 6th century.
The site is open to the public and sits within a residential area, so visitors should approach with respect for the surroundings. Early morning or late afternoon visits often provide better views without crowds getting in the way.
The arena measures 89.6 by 66.1 metres, larger than the Colosseum's, which may be explained by its use for military drills. The enclosing wall, arena and buttress walls were laid out with precise geometry, and the site was a legionary training ground from the 1st century before the stone rebuild.
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