Trier, Amphitheater

Augusta Treverorum: important Roman city, modern Trier.

Arena

Like so many ancient Roman cities, Trier had an amphitheater for gladiatorial contests. It was partly dug inside the slope of the hill of the east of the city during the reign of Antoninus Pius (r.138-161), was later included in the city walls, and was renovated after 293, when the caesar (vice-emperor) Constantius Chlorus moved his residence to the city on the banks of the Moselle. The arena measured 71 x 47½ meter. Although it has been used as a stone quarry, the arena of Trier's amphitheater is pretty well preserved. It may have been the place where Constantius' son and successor Constantine the Great had the Frankish leaders Ascaric en Merogaisus executed.note