Ludus Magnus

Ludus Magnus is a gladiatorial school in Rome, Italy, whose remains show an oval arena with rows of seating and several underground chambers. The complex includes stone benches, a central training floor, and chambers that once housed and prepared fighters for combat.

Domitian ordered this training complex built in the late first century to prepare gladiators close to their fighting venue. Trajan renovated and expanded the facility a few decades later before it was eventually abandoned in the Middle Ages.

The name Ludus Magnus means \'Great School\' and referred to the main training ground for gladiators in ancient Rome, located right next to the largest amphitheater in the city. Today\'s visitors see the outlines of underground passages and cells showing how fighters were organized and housed in groups.

Viewing takes place from the street since the complex sits below modern ground level and is fenced off for safety. Information panels along Via San Giovanni explain the function of the visible structures and help interpret the layout.

A tunnel below ground linked the school to the Colosseum so gladiators reached the fighting venue without being seen by crowds above. This passage allowed fighters to move quickly and protected into the arena before the audience noticed their arrival.