Aquincum civil amphitheatre, Roman amphitheatre ruins in Óbuda, Hungary.
The Aquincum civil amphitheatre is a Roman ruin in Óbuda with an oval arena surrounded by tiered seating carved into earthen slopes. The structure featured multiple entrance passages and internal corridors that guided spectators to different sections based on their social rank.
This amphitheatre rose around 145 AD under Emperor Antoninus Pius as a public venue for the Roman civilian population. It underwent repeated repairs over the following centuries, indicating sustained use and the community's commitment to maintaining the structure.
Stone benches carried carved names of their owners, reflecting the social order of the Roman settlement at Aquincum. Visitors can still observe these inscriptions and understand how seating position indicated a person's standing in the community.
The site is straightforward to explore and sits within a residential neighborhood where you can walk among the ruins at your own pace. You can view the remains from multiple angles and understand the layout of the seating areas from ground level.
A small shrine near the western edge held a statue and altars dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess of arena contests. This reveals that spectators gathered to make offerings before events, seeking divine favor for the competitions.
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