Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Roman Amphitheater

Catania, Sicily

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Converter

The amphitheatre of Catania is the most complicated and largest of all the amphitheatres in Sicily. It is one of a group of large arenas, which also includes the Coliseum in Rome.

By looking at what's been uncovered as a tourist attractions today, you might not guess that this fact is so.

Most of the structure lies under adjoining streets and its ruins served as a foundation for the buildings that overlook the square. These are buildings such as the headquarters of the Department of Law, the church of San Biagio and Palazzo Tezzano.

Entrance to the Ancient theater from the Roman days

Originally the building stood on the outskirts of the city, along the road that connected Catania to the backcountry, and near the acropolis on which the Monastery of the Benedictines now stands.

The area around Catania was inhabited as early as the 8th century BC by Sicilians. Later, it became part a the Greek colony, and then the Romans conquered the city in the 1st century BC, and it remained under Roman rule for several centuries. 

Over the ages after the Roman Empire declined, Catania was ruled by various Arab, Byzantine, and Norman dynasties.

The ticket to enter the amphitheater

As you can see from this aerial view photo from the front of our entrance ticket, the amphitheater serves as the foundation of many of the surrounding buildings.

Most likely, most of it won't be uncovered without destroying those same buildings.

Catania’s amphitheater was enlarged around the middle of the second century BC to accommodate over 15,000 spectators, becoming one of the largest in the Roman world.

It used to be much taller with many more columns connecting more floors at the top.

The cavea

This cavea, made of basalt from Mount Etna and faced with marble, had 14 steps and 32 aisles. 

From the theatre's dimensions it can be calculated to have held 15,000 spectators and almost double that number with the addition of wooden bleachers for standing spectators.

There is speculation but it's unconfirmed, that staged sea battles took place in the amphitheatre, using the ancient Roman aqueduct of Catania to fill the arena with water.

You can see the red bricks on the right hand side of this photo that were also used in construction. This imposing structure was a stunning black lava rock, white marble and red brick combination.

The building was embellished by columns, statues and bas-reliefs. At the top there was a system of beams and stone blocks that supported the fabric cover which protected the spectators from the rain and sun.

For an impressive video of a simulated construction of this arena, see link below.

Head of Feronia or Iris

This head from one of the statues in the Amphitheater is either Feronia or Iris, both Roman goddesses.

Feronia was the goddess of freedom, fertility, abundance, and forests.

She was particularly important to farmers and agricultural communities, with her blessings sought after for bountiful harvests and the well-being of livestock.

Iris was a messenger of the gods, especially Zeus.

She was often depicted as a winged figure with a rainbow-colored robe or carrying a rainbow and would travel across the sky.

Iris was often involved in the plans and decrees of Zeus, and was frequently dispatched to carry out his will or to gather information.

One of many passageways

Passageways such as these might have been used for storing equipment, supplies, or even food.

Ancient amphitheaters often required significant logistics to support large crowds and events.

Some amphitheaters had underground passageways that allowed animals, gladiators, or props to enter the arena without being seen by the audience.

A closer view of the exposed amphitheatre

Here you can see a column lying across the center stage which was covered in marble.

You can look through passageways which you can see in the center right of this photo.

Today, the surrounding buildings have the amphitheater as an integral part of their foundations or sides of their building.

Seats in the amphitheater

This gives you another look at the seats made of lava stone and covered in marble.

At the end of the Roman Empire in the fourth century BC, the building fell into disuse. Traders and craftsmen took it over and remained active until the sixth-to-seventh century.

It's almost painful to realize that this amphitheater was plundered over the centuries and the marble, columns, and lava stone vandalized to use as construction material for various buildings around Sicily - like St. Agatha's Cathedral and the ancient city's walls. 

The amphitheater with the church of San Biagio in the background

The grayish building on the right is made of lava stone, and you can easily see the church of San Biagio next to it, in the center of the photo. 

The church of San Biagio is associated with Saint Blaise who is the patron saint of throat ailments.

Billy and Akaisha

Here we are at the Roman Amphitheater.

We tried to imagine gladiators, sea battles, and huge spectacles taking place here in the arena. Since it was located in the countryside, most likely wagons, mules, horses and what-have-you were surrounding the theater.

With the capacity of 30,000 people, and taking several hours to walk from Catania to this arena, it must have been a bustling area!

A panoramic view of Catania's Roman Amphitheater

This gives you an expansive view of the theater. This walkway was broad and separated the expensive  marble covered seats closer to the action below from those cheaper ones where we are standing.

Can't imagine what one might see from these "nosebleed" seats, but whatever they saw, these Roman events were well attended.

The capacity of 30,000 people is impressive, to say the least.

Passageways at the upper level of the Amphitheater

These passageways are in fairly good shape, considering their age. The arches are still standing with supportive columns in between.

Again, it's easy to imagine thousands of people walking through these hallways.

Being of today's time period, where did they throw their trash? Where did they use the bathroom? What kind of food did they bring or purchase here?

Apparently there was quite the selection of vendors selling bread, meats such as beef, pork and lamb, cheese, fruits like figs and grapes, olives, and nuts. Honey was also available, as was wine.

Some vendors gathered outside the Coliseum to sell these snacks for those who could afford them, otherwise people brought their own.

The view of the amphitheater from our entrance

This is the view from our entrance and exit area. You can see some underground tunnels and passageways in the lower left area of the photo.

"Amphitheater" translated actually means a theater with a "surrounding" view, either circular or oval, so that the attendees can see the spectacle from all angles.

If you are in Catania, make a point to view this ancient 3-dimensional piece of history.

And, if you would like to see the full magnificence of this ancient Roman Amphitheater, click on this link for a virtual reconstruction.

__________

The Roman Amphitheater in Catania, Sicily is located at Piazza Stesicoro.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

HOME   Book Store

Retire Early Lifestyle Blog      About Billy & Akaisha Kaderli      Press     Contact     20 Questions     Preferred Links    

Retirement     Country Info     Retiree Interviews      Commentary     REL Videos