Roman Ampitheatre and Museum (Museu) do Teatro Romano
During its heyday, Lisbon's Roman amphitheatre would have been the centre of social activity with a capacity of 5000 spectators. The ancient settlement of
Olisipo was one of the major cities of the Roman province of Lusitania. The amphitheatre was originally constructed during the reign of Emperor Augustus (63 BC to 14 AD). Later in 57 AD, as Olispo's importance grew, the amphitheatre was enlarged and dedicated to Emperor Nero. The order of seating followed Roman social status with the front steps reserved for the ruling classes, the military and civil servants occupied the centre with the citizens and successively freed slaves who had to stand and, finally, in the covered porch, were the women. By the 4th Century Anno Domini however the amphitheatre fell out of use and during the great earthquake of 1755, it was buried under rubble only to unearthed again during the 1960s.