Silchester, The Village c.1965

Photo ref: S632035

More about this scene

It is hard to believe looking at this unremarkable village centre that just round the corner lie the remains of an important Roman town, Calleva Atrebatum. One of the surviving features is the recently excavated Roman amphitheatre; it was built in the 1st century AD to accommodate over 4,000 spectators, who sat on wooden seats above the surrounding walls. It was here that the local citizens came to watch sports, gladiatorial contests and public executions.