A Roman amphitheatre which would have hosted gladiator contests has been discovered in Turkey after lying hidden for centuries.
The huge site, similar in structure to the Colosseum in Rome, remained undetected because it is mostly buried underground.
The arena, which could seat around 20,000 spectators, was found near the ancient city of Mastaura in the western province of Aydin, inland from the Aegean coast.
It is believed to have been constructed 1,800 years ago and would have hosted gladiatorial contests as well as fights involving wild animals.
The stone arches that formed the outer walls of the amphitheater are visible but most of the structure is buried underground and covered in olive and fig trees.
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The stone arches that formed the outer walls of the amphitheatre are visible but most of the structure is buried under centuries of soil deposits.
Archeologists have found traces of chambers where gladiators would have prepared to enter the arena as well as areas for entertaining special guests.
The amphitheatre dates to around 200AD when the Roman Empire was ruled by the Severan dynasty of emperors, which was founded by Septimius Severus, who was born in the Roman colony of Leptis Magna in what is now Libya. He led a military expedition to Britain in AD 208 and died of illness in York.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/huge-ampitheatre-gladiator-fights-dubbed-153631195.html