- Les Arenes de Nimes is an extremely well preserved Roman Amphitheatre located in Nimes in southern France.
- Built in c.70 CE, the Amphitheatre could seat 23,000 spectators.
Nimes
- Nimes is a cathedral city located near the river Gardon, a tributary of the Rhone, 22 miles (34km) from Arles in the Occitanie Region of southern France.
- Known to the Romans as Nemausus, it was in the Province of Gallia Narbonensis. Nimes holds some of the best preserved Roman Monuments in France. Water was delivered to Nimes by the world famous Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct.
History
- The Oppidum de Nages, 18 miles (29km) away, was the home of the Volques Arecomiques Gallic Tribe.
- In 28 BCE Nimes became a Roman Colony until it was finally lost to the Visigoths in 473 CE.
- The Population of Nimes was 60,000 under Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE).
- The Family of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius came from Nimes, although he was born in Italia.
The Roman Sites
- La Maison Carre:
- Built in c. 20 BCE by Agrippa. Possibly the Roman Empire’s Best preserved Roman Temple.
- The temple was used as the model for L’Eglise de la Madeleine in Paris.
- Nimes Roman Amphitheatre
- seated 23,000 spectators
- Tour Magne:
- Ruined Roman Tower
- Porta Augusta:
- Triumphal Arch over the Via Domitia one of two Roman gates.
- Porte de France:
- One of Two Roman Gates, and is all that remains of the 14 towers defending the 3.7 mile (6 km) Walls.
- Nimes Castellum Divisorum:
- Circular Water Cistern fed by the Aqueduct, with ten lead pipes to distribute the water into the town.
- Temple of Diana:
- the Library today
- Nimes Roman Bridge:
- carrying the Via Domitia
- Nimes Fountain Gardens:
- with lines of Doric Columns.
Museums
- Nimes Museum of Romanity
- Located opposite the Amphitheatre at 16 Bd des Arenes, Nimes.
- This is a modern interactive museum dealing with the Roman period.
Photo and map: Nimes Roman Amphitheatre