The monumental amphitheater of El Jem is somewhat smaller than the coliseum of Rome. It was the third largest construction of such kind in the Roman Empire. Besides the one in Rome and another one in Pula, this is the third one which is also in a good state. The arena of the 36 meter high amphitheater is 65 meters long. The lions and other wild animals as well as the gladiators were kept in a maze of quarters beneath the arena. The savaged games attracted many visitors. You can still see the boxes of the local aristocrats which had all the comforts and a separate room for the servants.
The gladiators sometimes fought each other, sometimes stood against the wild animals. Sometimes, the organizers flooded the arena and sent crocodiles against the gladiators who most of the time did not come to the arena willingly. Those who have seen the movie “Spartacus” or “Gladiator” can imagine the life of the fighters. An exhibition put on display in a nearby Roman Villa also helps to understand the age.
Although excavation has revealed the former main street, market and spa of the city, they will not be on display for another few years.
El Jem is also famous for its olive plantations which had a large part in the forming of the history of the city. The Roman Caesar, Maximinus taxed the income from olive oil plantations so severely that the city revolted. The people gathered in the amphitheater, agreed that the Caesar had no more rights in the city, then renamed it Thysdrus and elected proconsul Gordianus to rule the city. The retaliation did not take long. The Roman Army killed Gordianus and decimated the population of the city.
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