Pompeii: Gladiator Quarters

 The Gladiator's Quarters, also known as the Quadriporticus of the Theater, is behind the theater's stage. It was excavated between 1766 and 1769 and is a spacious area surrounded by porticoes.

 Numbered 44 on the map, it was built at the end of the second century BC. I am standing near the main entrance at the northeast corner, the theater 90 degrees to the right of this photo.

 On several sides all the remains are the columns with the roof long since gone.

 On a few sides, however, the structure is largely intact. There were a few common rooms on this single-story side such as a kitchen, storage rooms and a dining room.

 A small prison was also found on the single-story side. The shackles were mounted low, maybe the men shackled could only lay down. The skeletons of four men were found in the prison.

 An apartment was found on the second floor near the kitchen.

 The open area in the middle was probably for gladiator exercises. This shot is looking back towards the theater.

 Wooden chests were found in ruins containing cloth, presumably for gladiator costumes. It appeared that some gladiators lived with their families, or at least had visitors, since the skeleton of a baby was found here. Another skeleton was that of a well dressed female.

 The gladiator's quarters were narrow spaces laid out on two floors with a wooden gallery. Each space accomodated two to three men. The rooms were not connected and apparently the men slept on straw mattresses as no beds were found.

 Besides the stairs leading to the triangular forum, the skeleton of a horse and a man were found - probably a stable boy.

 This is one of the few places within Pompeii where you can look directly out into the city surrounding the ruins.

 Weaponry was found including 15 helmets, metal belts, shin guards, a shield, a dagger and a lance.