Rare military amphitheater found near Megiddo

[guy]

Bowl-like depression of the amphitheater

An amphitheater was found near the excavation of the military base of the Roman Legion Legio VI Ferrata that was stationed near Megiddo, Israel from the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD.

There are over 230 Roman civilian amphitheaters that have been found throughout the Roman Empire.  Amphitheaters associated with military bases are unusual, especially outside of the western regions of the Empire.

 

Gold coin of Diocletian found at site.

Quote

 

“The main question we were looking to answer was if the bowl shape we were seeing on the ground was actually an amphitheater, and basically we have proved it,” said Adams. “We have determined the shape is artificially made... it looks like they flattened the entire area down to a natural clay source that was already there. Just today we are starting to see monumental stones from the entrance into the amphitheater gate, which is nice and promising because it is clear that at least the foundation of the wall is there.”

 “[Located just outside the military camp], our amphitheater is very much connected to the legion,” said Adams. “It gives us another dimension to the experience of the soldier outside the formality of the base itself. With every new find, we see different parts of their lives. In the excavation of the headquarters, we can imagine the generals planning and the troops gathering. In the barracks, we see their cooking pots where they prepared their meals. And now the amphitheater is the place where we know they were spending a lot of time as a legion training and also doing leisure activities.”

 

Location of Megiddo

 

https://m.jpost.com/archaeology/article-708197

Edited June 1, 2022 by guy