Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls

19 AD

A priest of Rome and Augustus paid for it in 19 AD

An inscription found in 1957 says that C. Julius Rufus, a citizen of the city of the Santons and priest of Rome and of Augustus, built the amphitheatre and its podium with his son and grandson, at their own expense. This dates the building to 19 AD.

Delegations

The first amphitheatre seated 1,800 delegates from 60 Gallic tribes

The first phase housed games that accompanied the imperial cult. With 1,800 seats it was enough for delegations from the 60 Gallic tribes. The arena measured 67.6 by 42 metres.

1,800seats in the first amphitheatre

Expanded

In the 2nd century it was widened to hold about 20,000

At the start of the 2nd century two galleries were added around the old amphitheatre, raising its width from 25 metres to 105 metres. Its capacity rose to about 20,000 seats, opening it to the whole population of Lugdunum and its environs.

Rediscovery

The south half was lost to 19th-century building

The first excavations between 1818 and 1820 revealed the perimeter of the arena before re-covering it, which allowed urban expansion in the 19th century to destroy the south half of the remains. Serious excavations began in 1956, and the remains were integrated into the Jardin des Plantes.

177

Blandina and Pothinus are remembered as martyrs of 177 here

Historians identify the building as the site of the martyrdoms of Saints Blandina and Pothinus during the persecution of 177. A post in the middle of the arena commemorates the event and Pope John Paul II's visit to Lyon in 1986.