Ancient Roman Amphitheater, Alexandria (must see)

The Ancient Roman Amphitheater forms part of the Kom el-Dikka archaeological site, an area whose name is often translated as “Mound of Rubble” or “Mound of Dirt.” Before excavations began in 1960, the site had long been overlooked. The Polish-Egyptian team was searching for Alexander the Great’s tomb, but instead uncovered a Roman and Byzantine civic quarter with a theatre, baths, lecture halls, houses, columns, and mosaic floors.

Although commonly called an amphitheater, the monument is more accurately a Roman theatre or odeon, probably used for music, poetry, lectures, and public gatherings rather than gladiatorial games. Its 13 marble seating tiers curve around a central orchestra area, where a voice spoken from the middle can carry clearly and echo back. Earlier versions were likely larger and may have been roofed before damage and later rebuilding changed the layout.

The structure also shows how ancient builders reused materials from older buildings, a practice known as spolia. The marble seating includes imported stone, while the first row is made from red granite from Aswan. At the top, mismatched columns suggest reuse from older monuments. Some seats still show carved Roman numerals and letters, likely used to organize seating.

Another detail worth noticing is the ancient graffiti carved into parts of the seating. Some inscriptions refer to the “Blues” and the “Greens,” rival factions linked to chariot racing in the Byzantine world. Though no races were held here, the theatre may have drawn supporters as a social gathering place. The graffiti, acoustics, reused stone, and nearby ruins give the site a clear sense of everyday urban life.