 divided into three areas to accommodate three distinct social groupings of spectators from the city and its outlying regions: the ima, media and summa cavea. The media was kept for the general populace whilst the ima cavae ran around the arena and was kept for well to do. Slaves and women and the lowest classes viewed the games form the summa cavae, at a distance from the show. Protection from the sun was provided by velaria suspended above the crowd from the top of the arena.
The external walls of the amphitheatre were covered with posters praising the gladiators and recording the outcome of the contests. The Thracian Celadus is described as the ‘hero’ and ‘heartthrob of the girls’. The area around the amphitheatre developed into an area of taverns and eateries to provide pre and post games’ refreshment. Signs painted on the arena walls marking out rented spaces indicate that temporary booths were set up just outside the arena walls, selling souvenirs, food and drink.
Pompeii-The Last Day by Paul Wilkinson. 2003. BBC Books.
The world of Pompeii ed. John J Dobbins and Pedar W Foss. 2007. Routledge: London and New York.