The
amphitheatre dates back to the time of Trajan, between
the 1st and the 2nd century A.D..
The Anphitheatre was completely covered, and had been
forgotten for centuries. In 1905, during the excavations
of another building, the first ruins were brought to light
again. In 1938 the excavations started again and finished
at
what is today the Roman Anphitheatre. It was decided not to continue excavating
because this would have destroyed the present structure of the square. In fact
some of the surrounding buildings are of inestimable value, such as the Church
of Santa Maria delle Grazie,
which stands over what would be the
other half of the ellipse. We can
suppose that originally the seats
were built on two orders.
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