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Tours Amphitheatre

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approximately 68 meters by 50 meters with an area of 2670 m2. The 5600 m2 of the cavea could accommodate at least 14,000 spectators. The structure had eight vomitoria, four of which were the primary entrances and allowed access at the arena level as well as a higher level of the cavea. The other four were secondary, leading to the middle part of the cavea via stairs. The north and south vomitoria had a vault height of about 7.5 meters and a width of 4.9 meters; vomitoria on the west were smaller, measuring only 6.8 meters high and 2.5 meters wide. There were likely eight additional entrances, as it likely had a double exterior staircase at the front of the amphitheater similar to the amphitheatre of Pompeii. The orientation of the amphitheater was deliberately aligned with the city's street plan: its minor axis continues towards the west, along the
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sedimentary rock hill, which minimized masonry work by having it partially built into the rock. Being the middle of a low-lying flood plain, this also provided flood protection. The urban planning was such that the amphitheater had to accommodate large numbers of spectators, from within and outside the city and had to allow space for crowds around the monument. Given the size of this initial urban footprint, it is estimated that the population of the city was about 6000 people when the amphitheatre was constructed. The high ground upon which the amphitheater was built also allowed for the demonstration of wealth and power from a distance, a characteristic that was considered very important in the urban planning decisions of the Roman Empire.
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situated exactly in the middle of the south wall. Also the west, south and east vomitoria, which were outside the defended area, remained in service and may have been converted into a formal castrum entrance as was the case in Trier. Moreover, the main path leading to the west vomitorium (similar to the decumanus maximus of the city in the first century, the street location of Scellerie) continues outside the castrum and serves as an alignment to the south castrum wall. Already naturally well defended by its high structure during its conversion in the third century, the amphitheater was did not have an
557: 973: 794:. At that time, former vomitoria, that were then mainly underground, were transformed into cellars and partitioned by walls, their length, their width and sometimes even in their height, leading to several levels of basements. The development of the area becomes apparent, however, still with a lot of open spaces (two documents of the thirteenth century mentioned vineyards and stables). Despite the conversion of vomitoria as basements, no further reference is made to the ancient monument as the whole area is finally slowly consumed by homes and the remains of the amphitheater were no longer visible. 654:, who saw these techniques implemented. The stone mixture of the wall was comparable to the enlarged amphitheater, however the wall obliterated some of its structures, indicating it was made after those structures. With a thickness of 3.5 meters and a height probably above the level of the cavea, the defensive wall was placed continuous along the entire on the embankment. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the side vomitoria and indoor stairs were completely blocked, leaving the main vomitoria as the only access to the arena (facilitating defence). Moreover, there was a defensive 757: 592: 622: 717: 524:, but rather within an outside embankment that slopes towards the arena. In Tours, the excavation of land in the arena during the original construction helped form this embankment. Spectators likely sat directly on the grassy slope of the embankment, but it is possible wooden bleachers (yet to be discovered) may have been used. Another primitive feature is the lack of stone steps and minimal masonry employed. For example, masonry was primarily used for the outer wall, the arena wall, galleries or vomitoria, and some radiating retaining walls. 474: 122: 573: 565: 1238: 25: 638: 1250: 600: 1262: 765: 115: 1286: 630: 1274: 408: 482: 581:
however, more than doubled, having increased to allow for about 34,000 spectators. In this configuration, the amphitheater was extended in its southwestern part, beyond the existing retaining wall of the Général-Meusnier Street, thought to be the outer wall of the structure. The height of the amphitheater was estimated to be about 25 to 28 meters in the 1970s. More recent discoveries, however suggest this values is closer to between 15 and 18 meters.
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was originally built in the first century and then altered at two separate times; first it was altered by expansion in the second century creating an amphitheatre almost twice the size. It was again altered in the third century, permanently transforming it into a fortification. This fortification would then serve as a starting point for an even larger enclosed area, known as a
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new facade by corridors, but they may have been connected to a circular gallery on the ground floor. There is no direct evidence that new outside stairs were placed against the front wall, however there is indirect evidence to suggest that there were once stairs. For example, the cutaway front is attributed to towers made at the time of construction of the
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decoration of the houses concerned, but not to their foundations, which are seated on the ruins of the amphitheater. These are, however, preserved by the town's conservation area. Similarly, the perimeter and the Cathedral area, of which the amphitheater is part, is a historic site under the Law of 2 May 1930, and by the Decree of 7 June 1944.
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maps, Napoleonic (1836 A.D.) or modern is even more suggestive, as parcels of land display a radiant profile and emphasizes the layout of the amphitheater. Similarly, the part corresponding to the cavea was almost entirely developed prior to the development of the large plot of land remaining at the
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The entrances were paired vomitoria assembled into large blocks with sharp joints, the piers were topped with molded capitals that support a semicircular arch. The ramparts of Tours, made later during the falling Roman Empire, has many blocks that were likely reused from the amphitheater facade. The
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The amphitheater was then completely forgotten until the 19th century, when it was rediscovered (1855). Evidence such as the layout of the streets and radiating lots of the district drew attention to its existence. Surveys and terrain analyses in the 1960s gathered further data on the cellars of the
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The remains of the Tours Gallo-Roman amphitheater is listed in Table I. As of 2014, none of these remains were subject to protection as a historical monument, or by registration or by classification. The protective measures mentioned in references in the table apply only to the height, roofs or the
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In the ninth century, a section of the front of the amphitheater that had long since collapsed, was repaired with large blocks borrowed from a public building, probably located in the castrum, which had stood since the height of the Roman Empire and also towers may have been built against the front
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The amphitheater was built in the suburbs at the northeast part of the ancient city, immediately southeast of the existing cathedral. The choice of this site corresponds to both the urban planning of the time and the layout of the land. Archaeologists believe the amphitheater was built on a natural
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An aerial view over the city and streets provides the best overview of the amphitheater of Tours. Rue Manceau ("Manceau Street") descends from the edge of the old cavea from the southeast to the arena and divides it. Rue du Général-Meusnier follows the curve of the amphitheater, from the northwest
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During the expansion, the external staircases of the original amphitheater were found embedded in the new embankment. Without being abandoned, they may have been vaulted and connected to the main vomitoria, becoming intermediate steps. Secondary vomitoria do not appear to have been extended to the
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There are numerous hints that show that the expansion was a renovation project. For example, the width and height of the main vomitoria vary significantly at the junction of two phases of work; two half-diameter reinforcements were built on either side of the entrances to increase the load bearing
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Studies conducted up to the late 1970s presented an image of a monument that was relatively homogeneous in its construction, built in a single period (early second century). Research of the twenty-first century, however has presented a different picture. The current theory is that the amphitheater
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The remains of the amphitheater are not protected as historic sites directly; however, some of the houses built upon it are registered as historical monuments. The ruins of the amphitheater are significant as they are among the oldest known ruins in the city and offer clues about the early history
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The difference in height between rue de la Porte-Rouline and rue du Général- Meusnier (approximately 5 meters), which is best viewed behind the Studios cinemas, demonstrates the minimum height of the amphitheatre. In fact, the height of the amphitheater was certainly much higher but the centuries
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After the Revolution, the houses in the neighborhood were no longer reserved for canons, however the topography had undergone only very slight modifications since. If the walls of the houses were partially removed, the foundations would essentially remain in place. The amphitheater was completely
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The evidence from excavations carried out in different points of the enclosure of the castrum and systematic reviews of previous work show that outer wall was well constructed against the amphitheater and extended from its location. Many clues support this thesis. For example, the amphitheater is
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The characteristics of the masonry (e.g. wall thickness was only 1.4 meters) indicate that the amphitheatre was expanded in the second half of the second century. While the overall dimensions of the amphitheater exceeded 156 Ă— 134 meters, the size of the arena itself did not change. The capacity,
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The construction dates back to the second half of the first century, or at least fifty years after the founding of Caesarodunum (Tours). It was at this time that most ancient monuments of Tours were likely built. This is based on the comparison of the architectural elements of the amphitheater of
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In the "Level A" protection area of Tours, where the remains of the amphitheater are located, all works affecting buildings (demolition, construction, development), other than those relating to roofs and repairs of recent buildings, must be the subject of a prior approval from the prefect of the
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This construction was definitely spread out over a period of several months, likely in response to a deterioration of some kind with the security and safety of the city inhabitants. The inhabitants at the time would have known that this was a permanent change to the amphitheater, rendering it
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The dimensions of this pseudo-elliptical amphitheater in the first phase of its existence, are valued at 112 meters for the major axis and 94 meters for the minor axis. Its estimated area is 8,270 meters2. This is based on research as of 2017. The dimensions of the arena were
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Close examination of the remains of the building (Figure II) requires access to private property in the neighborhood and their cellars, however, behind the Departmental Archives building, a court allows public access to the front wall of the enlarged amphitheater. The massive nature of the
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The rationale for the construction of such a large structure in a medium-sized city, has been debated since the 1970s and is still not known. While the amphitheater's capacity more than doubled, no known event warranted such an effort. In fact, some evidence suggests that the population of
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The development of the canonical quarter in the Middle Ages lead to the use of the amphitheatre substructures to support the foundations and cellars of canon houses. These homes were reserved for the canons of the Cathedral Chapter from 1250 A.D. (the time of construction of the new Gothic
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dated 919 mentions the amphitheater, in the context of a land exchange in a place called "Arenas" (the Arena). This is the last explicit mention of the presence of the amphitheatre, the ruins of which were perhaps still visible in the undeveloped part of the city.
366:. It is not clear why the amphitheater was expanded given the population and slow growth of the city at the time. About a century later, this expanded amphitheatre was transformed into a fortress, with an addition of a rampart style wall, typical during the 837:(Tunisia); cities whose political weight and height significantly overshadowed those of Caesarodonum. One theory was a desire for emulation among the Gallo-Roman cities, and that they were eager to show their power by building larger, higher, edifice as a 849:
in Tours has not been proven thus far by any source. Moreover, during this period of slow economic growth it is difficult to determine who had the finances necessary for this costly project and who would ultimately benefit from such an undertaking.
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Finally, the source of financing, building, and maintaining such a structure remains an enigma. Spectacular monuments of the time were frequently offered to towns by wealthy citizens, who had financed the construction, however this practice of
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Southwest secondary vomitorium. In the background, the vomitorium of the first century (the staircase is medieval); right, a decorated pier adorning its entrance. The extension of the second century, is visible in the
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Reconstructed schematic of Tours amphitheatre in a modern map. Red original amphitheater (first century); Green: expanded amphitheater (second century) ; Violet: fortification wall (third century)
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Caesarodonum (Tours) had stopped growing by that time. In its final state, the amphitheater of Tours was among the greatest of the Roman Empire with dimensions comparable structures of
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Uncertainties still remain about the appearance of the building, its structure and precise dimensions. Beyond these architectural unknown, there are other questions that also remain.
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In the second half or towards the end of the third century, the upper part of the cavea was 8 meters above the level of the arena. An annular wall was constructed without the use of
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part to the southeast. The rue Racine and the rue de la Bazoche form a tangential straight line at the north-west and north-east points of the monument's perimeter. Examination of
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These construction features have been identified, in several points of the amphitheater and it is not yet possible to say if this same pattern occurred to the entire monument.
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In a context of growing insecurity and retreat from the city to the more densely settled neighborhoods near the Loire River, Caesarodunum, which gradually took on the name of
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The Tours amphitheater is classified as a "primitive" amphitheatre, based on its design, not necessarily its age. It is as large as the amphitheatres in Samarobriva (
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amphitheater may explain the scarcity of the remains, and this scarcity has contributed to the preservation of the remaining masonry embedded in the embankment.
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The nature of the shows held by the Tours amphitheater is not known with certainty. It can be assumed that, like the other arenas of the Roman Empire, including
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Detail of the vault of the western vomitorium of the expanded amphitheater. (A) the first century vault . (B) the second century vault. (C) medieval recovery.
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and offered temporarily shelter to nearby residents in case of attack. This would have been far less labour-intensive than building a fort from scratch.
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The inner wall of the amphitheatre's main vomitorium. The junction between the original wall (lighter stone) and the expansion (darker stone) is evident.
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Other cities of Gaul have also used their amphitheater as a defensive element of an enclosure during the 3rd century. For example, the amphitheaters of
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tiling and without large recycled stone blocks (from other dismantled buildings) included in its foundations. It was therefore constructed prior to the
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structure approximately 122 meters by 94 meters. According to its design it is classified as a "primitive" amphitheatre. Unlike the famous
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forgotten up until the nineteenth century, but was rediscovered in 1855 thanks to the actions undertaken by the Archaeological Society of Touraine.
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Fortification wall of the amphitheater of the third century. Below dotted line: the exposed foundation. Above dotted line: the fortified wall.l
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When it was expanded in the 2nd century (to 156 m X 134 m), it became one of the largest structures (among the top ten) in the
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Figure II : The remains of the amphitheater in the context of a modern map. Brown: proven remains; Orange: predicted plot.
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La formation d’un tissu urbain dans la CitĂ© de Tours : du site de l’amphithéâtre antique au quartier canonial (5-18 s.)
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La formation d'un tissu urbain dans la CitĂ© de Tours : du site de l'amphithéâtre antique au quartier canonial (5-18 s.
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that was made mostly of masonry and built above-ground, the Tours amphitheatre was made mostly of earth and created by
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rest of the masonry of the walls and vaults of the amphitheater, was likely built from small rubble limestone cement (
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capacity (see Fig. 1), given the increased height (and weight) along the edge where the mass backfill rose sharply.
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have worn down a part of the step and gradually leveled the monument with the accumulation of debris at its foot.
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houses which were previously built on the amphitheater walls. Over the past decade, more in-depth studies of the
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houses were built upon it and gradually concealed it. The vomitoria were at some point transformed into cellars.
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who, in 869, ordered that the walls of several cities, including Tours are repaired to protect against the
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during the construction of the castrum: no additional protection wall is plastered on the outer surface.
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Figure I : Reconstructed schematic of the possible reinforcing device of the amphitheater vomitoria.
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Close-up of the original vomitorium entrance. Note the basic arc and the top of a pier (molded marquee).
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Plan de sauvegarde et de mise en valeur du secteur sauvegardé de la ville de Tours, zones archéologiques
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of the amphitheater in the southern half during this time. These projects were likely on the orders of
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Reconstructed schematic of the amphitheater enlarged. (A) Limitations of the original amphitheater.
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The city of Tours (known as Caesarodunum in Roman times) was established in the valley between
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Tours and those of Amiens, Autun or Saintes, three monuments which have been precisely dated.
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Architecture et urbanisme en Gaule romaine ; Volume 1 : l'architecture et la ville
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Solid masonry attributed to an outer staircase or a fortification tower of the amphitheater.
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Claude Croubois, ed. (1986), "L'indre-et-Loire – La Touraine, des origines à nos jours",
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Tours antique et médiéval. Lieux de vie, temps de le ville. 40 ans d'archéologie urbaine
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Block reused to repair the facade of the amphitheater (Departmental Archives of court) .
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Reconstructed schematic of the castrum built into the amphitheatre. (A) The Loire River.
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have taken place and are changing the theories and opinions surrounding this monument.
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region and may have instructions and prescriptions of archaeological importance.» (
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into a bowl shape. Spectators likely sat directly on the grassy slopes, while the
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Reconstructed schematic of fortified amphitheater. (A) annular wall fortification.
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Outer stairs of the Tours amphitheatre were likely similar to this well-preserved
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Table I : Remains of the amphitheater Caesarodunum identified as of 2008.
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General works totally or partially devoted to architecture of the Roman Empire
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Site de l'Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (INRAP)
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Architecture et urbanisme en Gaule romaine : L'architecture et la ville
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Ruins, incorporated into the existing buildings, walls, roads and cellars.
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La rue Manceau as seen from the north-west. The arena indicated in red.
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Turonorum around 360 A.D. and rose to the rank of capital city of the
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is not contained in the radiating walls and arches, as is seen in the
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Jacques Dubois; Jean-Paul Sazerat (1974), "L'Amphithéâtre de Tours",
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Le castrum de Tours, Ă©tude architecturale du rempart du Bas-Empire
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L'amphithéâtre romain et les jeux du cirque dans le monde antique
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L'amphithéâtre romain et les jeux du cirque dans le monde antique
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ineffective in its original function of displaying performances.
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Comparable stone masonry, dating from the same period, exist in
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The Tours amphitheatre in the roads and buildings of the city.
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Lieux de vie, temps de la ville. 40 ans d'archéologie urbaine
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The footprint of the amphitheater of Tours on the Napoleonic
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Dimensions of the largest amphitheatres of the Roman Empire
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Interior view of a support tower for the north vomitorium.
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Robert Bedon, Pierre Pinon et Raymond Chevallier (1988),
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Specific papers on the archeology and history of Touraine
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Repair blocks of the facade of the enlarged amphitheater
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Henri Galinié, ed. (2007), "Tours antique et médiéval",
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La rue du Général-Meusnier as seen from the north-west.
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Access stairs to the cavea from a secondary vomitorium
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Buildings and structures completed in the 1st century
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Carte archéologique de la Gaule - l'Indre-et Loire-37
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Bernard Chevalier, ed. (1985), "Histoire de Tours",
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coll. Univers de la France et des pays francophones
713:(located in the castrum, at the south-west angle). 435:whose amphitheater is one of the structural parts. 289: 281: 276: 266: 252: 244: 239: 231: 221: 211: 200: 163: 142: 1592:Robert Bedon, Pierre Pinon et Raymond Chevallier, 1267:La rue de la Porte-Rouline as seen from the south. 1380:, vol. t. XXVII, 1938–1939, pp. 235–250 1374:"La Touraine gallo-romaine ; l'amphithéâtre" 1470:Bulletin de la SociĂ©tĂ© ArchĂ©ologique de Touraine 1391:Bulletin de la SociĂ©tĂ© ArchĂ©ologique de Touraine 1378:Bulletin de la SociĂ©tĂ© ArchĂ©ologique de Touraine 532:of the city, while its long axis is parallel to 46:but its sources remain unclear because it lacks 1457:MĂ©moire de la SociĂ©tĂ© ArchĂ©ologique de Touraine 1466:"L'Amphithéâtre de Tours, recherches rĂ©centes" 419:and Cher rivers, probably during the reign of 293:Limited to public areas (some roads and walls) 1056:Reinforcing pillar of the west vomitorium (A) 8: 1711:Site de la SociĂ©tĂ© archĂ©ologique de Touraine 411:Modern map of Tours (amphitheater in brown). 301:  14,000 (1st stage); 34,000 (expanded) 91: 1513:AcadĂ©mie des inscriptions et belles-lettres 1464:Jacques Dubois; Jean-Paul Sazerat (1977), 1042:Dividing wall between 5 and 7, rue Racine 979: 121: 97: 90: 1385:Patrick Bordeaux; Jacques Seigne (2005), 370:. It gradually fell into ruin during the 77:Learn how and when to remove this message 1472:, vol. t. XXXVIII, pp. 355–378 1421:(2 sĂ©rie ed.), Chambray-lès-Tours, 1189:Gallery of the south-east vomitorium (O) 1083:Stairs of the south-west vomitorium (O) 852: 1642: 1318: 1230: 1141:Gallery of the north vomitorium (O, A) 1117:Gallery of the south vomitorium (O, A) 1094:Stairs of the South-west vomitorium (O) 403:Tours at the height of the Roman Empire 319:located in the historic city center of 1075:Gallery of the west vomitorium (O, A) 1067:Gallery of the west vomitorium (O, A) 1033:Gallery of the north vomitorium (O, A) 457:, that would be built around 350 A.D. 1440:, Saint-Jean-d’Angely, Bordessoules, 1387:"Les amphithéâtres antiques de Tours" 1149:Gallery of the east vomitorium (O, A) 7: 1694:, Ministère français de la Culture. 1675:, Ministère français de la Culture. 1656:, Ministère français de la Culture. 1601:Patrick Bordeaux et Jacques Seigne, 1357:, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, Alan Sutton, 752:Disappearance during the Middle Ages 327:, immediately behind the well known 1603:Les amphithéâtres antiques de Tours 1459:, vol. t. VIII, pp. 41–74 1438:coll. L'histoire par les documents 1169:Gallery of the east vomitorium (A) 1125:Wall of north-west vomitorium (O) 14: 1393:, vol. t. LI, pp. 51–62 1284: 1272: 1260: 1248: 1236: 1210:Court of departmental archives, 1010:Wall of north vomitorium (O, A) 120: 113: 23: 1291:The courtyard of Studio cinemas 1192:Outer wall of amphitheatre (O) 1181:Outer wall of amphitheatre (A) 998:Wall of north vomitorium (O, A) 1585:Tours Ă  l'Ă©poque gallo-romaine 1355:Tours Ă  l'Ă©poque gallo-romaine 1279:The terrace of the archbishop. 1201:Outer wall of amphitheatre (O) 1102:Bedside the Vincentian chapel, 1088:12, rue du GĂ©nĂ©ral-Meusnier 1: 1737:Roman amphitheatres in France 394:and development of the area. 235:over 5 meters (expanded) 103:Galery of the west vomitorium 1747:Ruins in Centre-Val de Loire 1114:14, rue du GĂ©nĂ©ral-Meusnier 1080:10, rue du GĂ©nĂ©ral-Meusnier 215:122 meters (1st stage) 16:Roman amphitheatre in France 1565:Jean-Claude Golvin (2012), 1303:List of Roman amphitheatres 1072:8, rue du GĂ©nĂ©ral-Meusnier 1064:6, rue du GĂ©nĂ©ral-Meusnier 1050:4, rue du GĂ©nĂ©ral-Meusnier 689:Transformation into castrum 351:was primarily used for the 225:94 meters (1st stage) 1768: 1417:Jean-Mary Couderc (1990), 989:Description of the remains 227:134 meters (expanded) 217:156 meters (expanded) 1496:Bastien Lefebvre (2008), 1219: 1209: 1197: 1185: 1177: 1165: 1157: 1145: 1137: 1129: 1121: 1113: 1101: 1091:South-west vomitorium (O) 1087: 1079: 1071: 1063: 1049: 1045:Wall of north vomitorium 1041: 1029: 1017: 1006: 994: 988: 985: 855: 313:Caesarodunum amphitheater 297: 108: 96: 1752:History of Tours, France 1105:rue du General Meusnier 1021:Stairs of outer wall (O) 185:47.3954222°N 0.6959028°E 32:This article includes a 1507:Michel Provost (1988), 1204:Fortification wall (F) 1172:Fortification wall (F) 1152:Fortification wall (F) 1096:Fortification wall (F) 1058:Fortification wall (F) 1024:Fortification wall (F) 1012:Reinforcing pillar (A) 495:Amphitheatre of Pompeii 368:decline of Roman Empire 256:c. 50 A.D. (1st stage) 61:more precise citations. 1610:Henri GaliniĂ© (dir.), 1036:Reinforcing pillar(A) 1001:Reinforcing pillar(A) 977: 948: 790:cathedral), until the 769: 761: 721: 643: 634: 626: 605: 596: 577: 569: 561: 497: 486: 478: 470: 412: 262:c. 360 (castrum added) 260:c. 250 (fortification) 1353:Pierre Audin (2002), 1018:7, rue de la Bazoche 1007:5, rue de la Bazoche 995:3, rue de la Bazoche 975: 942: 767: 759: 719: 640: 632: 624: 602: 594: 575: 567: 559: 492: 484: 476: 468: 410: 190:47.3954222; 0.6959028 1619:Jean-Claude Golvin, 1419:La Touraine insolite 1402:, Toulouse, Privat, 1372:baron Henry Auvray, 1308:Acadian architecture 986:Address or location 935:Remains and research 802:Unanswered questions 781:raids. A charter of 345:moving soil and rock 258:c. 150 AD (expanded) 1530:Jason Wood (1983), 982: 617:Fortification added 398:In the ancient city 311:(also known as the 309:Tours amphitheater 181: /  158:Centre-Val de Loire 134:Shown within France 93: 1628:Bastien Lefebvre, 1212:rue des Ursulines 1146:4bis, rue Manceau 980: 978: 949: 783:Charles the Simple 770: 762: 722: 703:Gallia Lugdunensis 673:and the arenas of 644: 635: 627: 606: 597: 578: 570: 562: 508:, Switzerland) or 498: 487: 479: 471: 461:Original structure 413: 317:Roman amphitheatre 290:Public access 206:Roman amphitheatre 148:Gallia Lugdunensis 128:Tours Amphitheatre 92:Tours Amphitheatre 34:list of references 1576:978-2-95339-735-2 1488:978-2-91327-215-6 1229: 1228: 1130:3, rue Manceau 1122:1, rue Manceau 932: 931: 928:133 Ă— 101 m 918:154 Ă— 130 m 908:156 Ă— 128 m 897:156 Ă— 134 m 889:157 Ă— 134 m 878:167 Ă— 137 m 867:188 Ă— 156 m 792:French Revolution 530:Decumanus Maximus 305: 304: 87: 86: 79: 1759: 1723: 1715: 1698: 1697: 1685: 1679: 1678: 1666: 1660: 1659: 1647: 1637:Other references 1580: 1579:, 152 pages 1561: 1560:, 440 pages 1535: 1526: 1525:, 141 pages 1503: 1492: 1491:, 440 pages 1473: 1460: 1451: 1450:, 470 pages 1432: 1431:, 236 pages 1413: 1412:, 423 pages 1394: 1381: 1368: 1367:, 128 pages 1336: 1334: 1323: 1288: 1276: 1264: 1252: 1240: 1198:13, rue Manceau 1186:11, rue Manceau 983: 853: 775:Charles the Bald 248:Soil and masonry 196: 195: 193: 192: 191: 186: 182: 179: 178: 177: 174: 124: 123: 117: 101: 94: 82: 75: 71: 68: 62: 57:this article by 48:inline citations 27: 26: 19: 1767: 1766: 1762: 1761: 1760: 1758: 1757: 1756: 1727: 1726: 1721: 1713: 1707: 1702: 1701: 1695: 1686: 1682: 1676: 1667: 1663: 1657: 1648: 1644: 1577: 1564: 1558: 1545: 1542: 1529: 1523: 1506: 1495: 1489: 1476: 1463: 1454: 1448: 1435: 1429: 1416: 1410: 1397: 1384: 1371: 1365: 1352: 1349: 1344: 1339: 1332: 1324: 1320: 1316: 1299: 1292: 1289: 1280: 1277: 1268: 1265: 1256: 1253: 1244: 1241: 1211: 1202: 1190: 1178:8, rue Manceau 1170: 1166:6, rue Manceau 1161:Arena wall (O) 1158:5, rue Manceau 1150: 1138:4, rue Manceau 1133:Arena wall (O) 1109:Outer wall (O) 1103: 1095: 1092: 1057: 1054: 1034: 1022: 999: 990: 957:ancient arena. 937: 804: 754: 711:Tours cathedral 691: 669:(Switzerland), 619: 554: 510:Emerita Augusta 463: 450: 441: 405: 400: 357:retaining walls 329:Tours cathedral 261: 259: 257: 226: 216: 189: 187: 183: 180: 175: 172: 170: 168: 167: 151: 138: 137: 136: 135: 132: 131: 130: 129: 125: 104: 83: 72: 66: 63: 52: 38:related reading 28: 24: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1765: 1763: 1755: 1754: 1749: 1744: 1739: 1729: 1728: 1725: 1724: 1716: 1706: 1705:External links 1703: 1700: 1699: 1680: 1661: 1641: 1640: 1639: 1638: 1634: 1633: 1625: 1624: 1616: 1615: 1607: 1606: 1598: 1597: 1589: 1588: 1583:Pierre Audin, 1581: 1575: 1562: 1556: 1541: 1538: 1537: 1536: 1527: 1521: 1504: 1493: 1487: 1474: 1461: 1452: 1446: 1433: 1427: 1414: 1408: 1395: 1382: 1369: 1363: 1348: 1345: 1343: 1340: 1338: 1337: 1317: 1315: 1312: 1311: 1310: 1305: 1298: 1295: 1294: 1293: 1290: 1283: 1281: 1278: 1271: 1269: 1266: 1259: 1257: 1254: 1247: 1245: 1242: 1235: 1233: 1227: 1226: 1217: 1216: 1213: 1207: 1206: 1199: 1195: 1194: 1187: 1183: 1182: 1179: 1175: 1174: 1167: 1163: 1162: 1159: 1155: 1154: 1147: 1143: 1142: 1139: 1135: 1134: 1131: 1127: 1126: 1123: 1119: 1118: 1115: 1111: 1110: 1107: 1099: 1098: 1089: 1085: 1084: 1081: 1077: 1076: 1073: 1069: 1068: 1065: 1061: 1060: 1053:Outer wall (O) 1051: 1047: 1046: 1043: 1039: 1038: 1031: 1030:5, rue Racine 1027: 1026: 1019: 1015: 1014: 1008: 1004: 1003: 996: 992: 991: 987: 936: 933: 930: 929: 926: 920: 919: 916: 910: 909: 906: 899: 898: 895: 891: 890: 887: 880: 879: 876: 869: 868: 865: 864:(Rome, Italy) 858: 857: 803: 800: 753: 750: 699:Roman province 690: 687: 658:preceded by a 618: 615: 553: 550: 504:), Octodurus ( 462: 459: 449: 446: 440: 437: 404: 401: 399: 396: 303: 302: 295: 294: 291: 287: 286: 283: 279: 278: 274: 273: 268: 264: 263: 254: 250: 249: 246: 242: 241: 237: 236: 233: 229: 228: 223: 219: 218: 213: 209: 208: 202: 198: 197: 165: 161: 160: 146:Caesarodunum ( 144: 140: 139: 133: 127: 126: 119: 118: 112: 111: 110: 109: 106: 105: 102: 85: 84: 42:external links 31: 29: 22: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1764: 1753: 1750: 1748: 1745: 1743: 1740: 1738: 1735: 1734: 1732: 1720: 1717: 1712: 1709: 1708: 1704: 1693: 1689: 1684: 1681: 1674: 1670: 1665: 1662: 1655: 1651: 1646: 1643: 1636: 1635: 1632:, 2008 : 1631: 1627: 1626: 1623:, 2012 : 1622: 1618: 1617: 1614:, 2007 : 1613: 1609: 1608: 1605:, 2005 : 1604: 1600: 1599: 1596:, 1988 : 1595: 1591: 1590: 1587:, 2002 : 1586: 1582: 1578: 1572: 1568: 1563: 1559: 1557:2-903-44279-7 1553: 1549: 1544: 1543: 1539: 1533: 1528: 1524: 1522:2-87754-002-2 1518: 1514: 1510: 1505: 1501: 1500: 1494: 1490: 1484: 1480: 1475: 1471: 1467: 1462: 1458: 1453: 1449: 1447:2-90350-409-1 1443: 1439: 1434: 1430: 1428:2-854-43211-8 1424: 1420: 1415: 1411: 1409:2-708-98224-9 1405: 1401: 1396: 1392: 1388: 1383: 1379: 1375: 1370: 1366: 1364:2-842-53748-3 1360: 1356: 1351: 1350: 1346: 1341: 1331: 1330: 1322: 1319: 1313: 1309: 1306: 1304: 1301: 1300: 1296: 1287: 1282: 1275: 1270: 1263: 1258: 1251: 1246: 1239: 1234: 1231: 1225: 1222: 1221:Abbreviations 1218: 1214: 1208: 1205: 1200: 1196: 1193: 1188: 1184: 1180: 1176: 1173: 1168: 1164: 1160: 1156: 1153: 1148: 1144: 1140: 1136: 1132: 1128: 1124: 1120: 1116: 1112: 1108: 1106: 1100: 1097: 1090: 1086: 1082: 1078: 1074: 1070: 1066: 1062: 1059: 1052: 1048: 1044: 1040: 1037: 1032: 1028: 1025: 1020: 1016: 1013: 1009: 1005: 1002: 997: 993: 984: 974: 970: 966: 962: 958: 955: 946: 941: 934: 927: 925: 922: 921: 917: 915: 912: 911: 907: 904: 901: 900: 896: 893: 892: 888: 885: 882: 881: 877: 874: 871: 870: 866: 863: 860: 859: 854: 851: 848: 842: 840: 836: 832: 828: 824: 818: 816: 812: 807: 801: 799: 795: 793: 787: 784: 780: 776: 766: 758: 751: 749: 747: 743: 739: 735: 730: 728: 718: 714: 712: 708: 704: 700: 696: 688: 686: 682: 680: 676: 672: 668: 663: 661: 657: 653: 649: 639: 631: 623: 616: 614: 612: 601: 593: 589: 586: 582: 574: 566: 558: 551: 549: 545: 543: 542:opus vittatum 537: 535: 531: 525: 523: 519: 515: 514:MĂ©rida, Spain 511: 507: 503: 496: 491: 483: 475: 467: 460: 458: 456: 447: 445: 438: 436: 434: 430: 426: 422: 418: 409: 402: 397: 395: 391: 389: 385: 379: 377: 373: 369: 365: 360: 358: 354: 350: 346: 342: 338: 334: 330: 326: 322: 318: 314: 310: 300: 296: 292: 288: 284: 280: 275: 272: 269: 265: 255: 251: 247: 243: 238: 234: 230: 224: 220: 214: 210: 207: 203: 199: 194: 173:47°23′43.52″N 166: 162: 159: 155: 149: 145: 141: 116: 107: 100: 95: 89: 81: 78: 70: 67:November 2023 60: 56: 50: 49: 43: 39: 35: 30: 21: 20: 1688:Base MĂ©rimĂ©e 1683: 1669:Base MĂ©rimĂ©e 1664: 1650:Base MĂ©rimĂ©e 1645: 1629: 1620: 1611: 1602: 1593: 1584: 1566: 1547: 1531: 1508: 1498: 1478: 1469: 1456: 1437: 1418: 1399: 1390: 1377: 1354: 1328: 1321: 1223: 1220: 1203: 1191: 1171: 1151: 1104: 1093: 1055: 1035: 1023: 1011: 1000: 967: 963: 959: 950: 843: 833:(Italy) and 819: 808: 805: 796: 788: 771: 731: 723: 692: 683: 664: 660:counterscarp 651: 645: 610: 607: 587: 583: 579: 546: 538: 526: 499: 451: 442: 414: 392: 388:architecture 380: 364:Roman Empire 361: 333:Caesarodunum 332: 312: 308: 306: 298: 271:Roman Empire 176:0°41′45.25″E 88: 73: 64: 53:Please help 45: 1722:(in French) 1714:(in French) 1696:(in French) 1677:(in French) 1658:(in French) 1333:(in French) 604:foreground. 522:NĂ®mes Arena 372:Middle Ages 188: / 164:Coordinates 152:modern-day 59:introducing 1731:Categories 1692:PA00098201 1673:PA00098200 1654:PA00098231 1342:References 905:(Tunisia) 847:euergetism 727:apron wall 671:Lillebonne 384:topography 337:elliptical 277:Site notes 1511:, Paris, 954:cadastral 947:of 1836 . 886:(Spain): 862:Colosseum 829:(Spain), 734:PĂ©rigueux 552:Expansion 429:aqueducts 376:canonical 353:vomitoria 341:Colosseum 282:Condition 1297:See also 945:cadastre 903:Carthage 875:(Italy) 835:Carthage 667:Avenches 506:Martigny 425:Tiberius 421:Augustus 299:Capacity 267:Cultures 245:Material 204:Ancient 143:Location 884:Italica 839:civitas 827:Italica 815:Bourges 707:castrum 695:Civitas 652:castrum 611:castrum 455:castrum 448:History 433:castrum 349:masonry 315:) is a 253:Founded 240:History 55:improve 1573:  1554:  1519:  1485:  1444:  1425:  1406:  1361:  894:Tours 779:Norman 738:Amiens 675:Senlis 502:Amiens 325:France 232:Height 212:Length 1314:Notes 924:NĂ®mes 914:Autun 873:Capua 831:Capua 823:Autun 746:Trier 648:quoin 534:Cardo 518:cavea 417:Loire 321:Tours 222:Width 154:Tours 40:, or 1571:ISBN 1552:ISBN 1517:ISBN 1483:ISBN 1442:ISBN 1423:ISBN 1404:ISBN 1359:ISBN 811:Gaul 744:and 742:Metz 679:fort 656:moat 439:Site 386:and 374:and 355:and 307:The 201:Type 701:of 423:or 1733:: 1690:: 1671:: 1652:: 1515:, 1468:, 1389:, 1376:, 841:. 825:, 740:, 736:, 536:. 359:. 323:, 156:, 44:, 36:, 1335:. 642:. 512:( 150:) 80:) 74:( 69:) 65:( 51:.

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Tours Amphitheatre is located in France
Gallia Lugdunensis
Tours
Centre-Val de Loire
47°23′43.52″N 0°41′45.25″E / 47.3954222°N 0.6959028°E / 47.3954222; 0.6959028
Roman amphitheatre
Roman Empire
Roman amphitheatre
Tours
France
Tours cathedral
elliptical
Colosseum
moving soil and rock
masonry
vomitoria
retaining walls
Roman Empire
decline of Roman Empire
Middle Ages
canonical
topography

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