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The Temple of Augustus,
2nd year B.C.-14th year AD
The Twin Gate,
2nd century
| THE AMPHITHEATRE - ARENA
Unarguably Pula best known and most outstanding monument, and from where every sight-seeing tour of the city begins, is the amphitheatre, also known as the ARENA.
However, this massive amphitheatre is important and almost grandiose like Coliseum in Rome, or Arena in Verona, or amphitheatre in Pompeii. in days of yore the venous for gladiatorial combat, was built during the rule of Emperor Vespasian (AD 69-79), which means that it was built at about the same time as its more famous counterpart, the coliseum in Rome.
It is believed that a smaller amphitheatre existed earlier on the same site, which dated from the time of Augustus (27 BC-AD 14)
The existing structure is ellipsoidal, with a main axis (N-S) of 130 meters and a shorter axis (E-W) 100 meters long.
The amphitheatre was built beyond the town boundaries because of its size and because the Pula of the times (Colonial Julia Pola Pollentia Herculanea) was a small town with a population of some 5,000.
A further reason for its location was that the slope of the adjoining hill was ideal for a spectator area. In the centre of the amphitheatre is the arena proper, scene of so many mortal struggles, surrounded by rising tiers of stone seats for about 20,0000 spectators.
THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH
Built immediately after the Battle of Actium, in 31 BC, when Octavian defeated the slayers of Caesar. They are built in Corinthian style with pronounced Hellenistic and Asia Minor influences.
Statues of three Sergii once formed part of this simple ornamental, flat-topped gateway, but now only inscriptions to their memory remain. The arch is supported by two fluted half columns with Corinthian half-capitals.
On the main stone is subscribe..."L(ucius)SERGIUS L(uci)F(ilius)LIPIDS,AED(ilis)TR(ibunus)MIL(itaris)LEG(ionis)XXXIX".. what means" Lucy Sergii Lepid, son of Lucy, edil, military tribune 29th legion".
In earlier times the Triumphal Arch was been the city gate (Porta Aurea).
PORTA HERCULEA
Set between two round towers, probably of medieval origin, is another gateway to the city which was reached via the upper circular road that exited through this gate, and whose slope dictated the axis of the gate in relation to the lie of the walls.
This took place between the years 47 and 44 BC, and it is from that time that Pula can be said have existed as an urban settlement.
It was one, of first great gate in antique Pula.
THE TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS
Was built between 2 BC and 14 AD, when Augustus died.
Its form is a typical temple structure, with a rectangular sanctuary and a deep vestibule set upon a high podium, formed by six pillars and a ridge roof which, together with a row of capitals above the pillars, creates a triangular gable.
Capitals are in the Corinthian style, richly adorned with tendrils of stylised acanthus leaves.
The building measures are 17,65 meters in the length, 8.05 meters in width and 12 meters in height.
Today, the temple houses a small ex exhibition of Roman sculptures, in bronze and stone.
PORTA GEMINA AND CITY WALLS
Porta Gemina receives its name from the two arched gateways which lead into a form of inner courtyard and then on, through another gate, into the town itself. Built somewhere around the second/third century, the gate comprises semi-columns surmounted by semi-capitals and a relief moulding.
In the times of Antiquity the entire town was girdled by walls, with access to the town via ten gates.
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The Amphitheatre-
ARENA, 1st century
The Arch of Sergii, 29 BC
Hercules Gate,
mid 1st century BC
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