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Pozzuoli Amphitheater

The dates of the  amphitheater construction were between 54 AD and 79 AD.  There is also evidence of a 2nd century addition.

Much of the superstructure has been lost.  It was originally three stories high. 

Entertainment consisted mainly of fights, often involving exotic animals like lions and tigers. 

The large area in the floor of the arena  contained stage settings, which were raised as scenic backgrounds.

According to tradition, several early Christians - including Naples' own protector saint, St. Januarius, or San Gennaro, were condemned to be savaged by wild beasts, but the sentence was later commuted to a less spectacular decapitation carried out further up the hill on Via Solfatara at a site now commemorated by the Church of San Januarius.

The Apostle Paul came into the port at Pozzuoli (originally known as Puteoli).  From here he made his way to Rome.  You will find reference to this in the scriptures in Acts 28:13.