The ancient city of Pergamon (modern Bergama) was an important cultural and political center of the Hellenistic and Roman world. Among its impressive architectural structures stood a Roman amphitheater, built for gladiatorial combats and other mass spectacles. Although only fragments remain today, its ruins testify to the grandeur of Roman architecture in Asia Minor.
The Roman amphitheater was constructed in the 2nd century AD, during the peak of Roman rule in Pergamon. Many of Pergamon`s Roman structures were built during the reigns of Emperors Hadrian and Trajan.
Unlike Greek theaters (semicircular and designed for drama), this was a true Roman amphitheater—oval in shape and created for bloody spectacles, including gladiator fights and wild beast hunts.
The Roman amphitheater was located at the foot of the Pergamon Acropolis, near the Selinus River, ensuring easy access for crowds of spectators.
Architecture and Dimensions of Bergama`s Roman Amphitheater
• Diameter: Approximately 50–60 meters (significantly smaller than the Colosseum but comparable to provincial amphitheaters).
• Capacity: About 5,000–10,000 spectators, similar to the amphitheater in Pula, Croatia.
• Construction: Utilized a natural slope (like Greek theaters) but incorporated Roman engineering solutions, including arched structures for holding animals and combatants.
• Significance: The Pergamon amphitheater was an important symbol of Roman imperial culture in the Greek East.
Ruins of the Roman Amphitheater Today
Only foundations and small fragments of walls remain, but they hint at the oval shape and stone masonry. Traces of underground chambers, where animals and gladiators were kept, are still visible. The ruins lie on an overgrown field near the modern city, in the shadow of the majestic Pergamon Acropolis.
The site is open to visitors at any time and is not maintained—no tickets are required for entry. To reach it, walk along the river from Bergama`s Grand Mosque and turn left. Continue up a small street until it dead-ends. There, you`ll find a field where the remains of the amphitheater`s walls can be seen.
The Pergamon amphitheater was an important symbol of the Romanization of Asia Minor. It serves as a reminder that Pergamon was a city with Greek heritage but under Roman imperial influence. Its modest size reflects its provincial status, yet large-scale spectacles were still held here.
