... and firm, eighty walls surrounded the area and supported vaults - which were extraordinarily strong - for the passageways, the stairways and the tiers of seats. Although people on the upper most tiers were quite a way from the arena, the continuous rows of seating gave an unobstructed view. The three tiers of arcades are fronted by columns and entablatures. Arranged in a logical sense of Doric on in the first storey, Ionic on the second story and Corinthian in the third. Above these columns is an attic story with Corinthian pilasters and small square window openings. A canopy, called the velarium, provided shelter for the spectators and was suspended from masts which were carried by brackets and sockets. Although the mechanism or how the canopy was drawn across the arena is unknown, we do know this how it was used. As well as shelter the spectators required refreshments which were given by ...

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