Stadium Domitiani

 The Piazza Navona now occupies the site of the stadium, which was built by Domitian in 92/96 A.D., and restored in 228 A.D. by Alexander Severus. It was used for athletics, and gladiator contests were also held there, when the Colosseum was out of use after a fire at the time of Macrinus in 217 A.D. The stadium differed from the circus in having neither spina nor carceres. In mediaeval times, it was known as the "Circus Flaminius" (CodTop II, pp. 176, 180, 195), "Theatrum Alexandri" (CodTop III, p. 23), and "Circus Alexandri" (CodTop III, p. 219) and, until the 19th century, antiquarians and topographers unanimously identified it as the Circus of Alexander Severus. It was first recognized as the Stadium of Domitian by Urlichs in 1842. Its form and dimensions were established by excavations in 1868 (north side), 1869 (south perimeter), 1933/34 (east side, in the Corsia Agonale), and 1936/37 (the north curve). The remains of the north curve with the entrance gate, which were discovered in 1936, can be seen below the newly built houses to the west of Via Agonale.

Stadium of Domitian, travertine pier of the east side, discovered in 1933, in the Corsia Agonale

tadium of Domitian, side of the northern bend with entrance gate during the excavations of 1936-1937

Stadium of Domitian, aerial view of Piazza Navona

Stadium of Domitian, aerial view of Piazza Navona

Stadium of Domitian, side of the northern end during the excavations of 1936-1937

Stadium of Domitian, aerial view of Piazza Navona