The Roman Amphitheatre Facts
In 1965, a semi-circular Roman amphitheater was discovered under what was known as Kom al-Dikka (Mound of Rubble) after the remains of a Napoleonic fort were leveled for a housing project. The 13 tiered rows of marble seats, excavated by Polish archaeologists aided by the Graeco-Roman Museum, date from the 2nd century AD.
Originally a small theatre, the building was altered over time and served as an assembly hall, possibly for the city council. A couple of sections of the original mosaic floor are on view in front of the amphitheater.
Other excavations are still underway on the site. To the north lie the brick ruins of a Roman bathing complex. A series of basins and channels reveal how water would have passed through the heating system to the marble covered baths. To the east lie the ruins of a residential area dating from the 1st century AD, but this site and the Roman baths are closed for excavation work.
passed through the heating system to the marble covered baths. To the east lie the ruins of a residential area dating from the 1st century AD, but this site and the Roman baths are closed for excavation work.
Some items found at an underwater excavation near Fort Qaitbey, including part of an obelisk from the era of Seti I and a weatherbeaten sphinx, are on show in the amphitheater grounds.
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