Cemelenum Amphitheatre, Nice

The Cemenelum Amphitheatre is a fascinating piece of history located in the city of Nice. The Roman city of Cemenelum was established in the 1st century AD, serving as a staging point for Roman troops in the Alpes Maritime region before later becoming the regional capital. In 14 BC, Augustus selected Cemenelum as the principal seat of the province of Alpes Maritimae due to its favorable location. However, as time went on, the Romans began to settle further inland, on the opposite side of the river Paillon. Despite this, remnants of the town on the Hill of Cimiez date back to the 3rd century AD.

At the northern end of the site, visitors will find the Cemenelum Amphitheatre. Initially built with wood seating for only 500-600 individuals, the amphitheater was later reconstructed with stone during the Severan dynasty (AD 193-217) and expanded to accommodate up to 5000 people. While not as grand as those found in other Roman cities like Arles or Nimes, the vaulted remains at Nice-Cimiez bear similarity to other small amphitheaters in garrison towns across the Roman Empire.

The amphitheater seating reflected the class distinctions between officers and enlisted men, with the structure at Nice-Cimiez divided into two sections that could be reached through separate entrances. While not as well-preserved as other amphitheaters, the Cemenelum Amphitheatre remains an impressive piece of history that helps visitors to better understand the ancient Roman world.