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Origin and history

The Roman amphitheatre of Purpan-Ancely, located in Toulouse, is a building built in the middle of the first century (between 40 and 50 AD) under the reign of Emperor Claude. It was close to a small rural agglomeration near the Gallo-Roman city of Tolosa. Its ruins, now located between the districts of Purpan and Arncely, have been classified as a historical monument since 1974 and managed by the Musée Saint-Raymond. It is one of the few Roman buildings in Toulouse to be preserved almost entirely.

The structure was expanded in the third century, increasing its capacity to accommodate 7,000 to 12,000 spectators by adding radiant walls and widening the cellara. However, these changes were removed before the second quarter of the fourth century, probably due to a collapse. The amphitheatre was abandoned in the 5th century, then used as a brick quarry in the 16th century under the name of the "area of the contentious tilery".

Archaeological excavations began in 1878 with Theodore de Sevin, followed by ad hoc interventions in 1961-1962. A major campaign took place between 1983 and 1987, involving universities, municipal services and associations. These excavations revealed objects such as an ace of Claude (41-50 A.D.), a handle of a canife decorated with a gladiator, and fragments of vases. The site, after being used as a landfill in the 20th century, is now accessible to the public.

The architecture of the amphitheatre is distinguished by its massive use of bricks, a rare technique, and its full structure, partially dug in the ground. The almond-shaped arena measures 62 m (north-south axis) and 46 m (east-west axis), surrounded by 22 vomitories and two monumental entrances. The facade, adorned with alternately blind and open exhedrons, recalls those of the amphitheatres of Avenches (Switzerland) and d'Ivrea (Italy).

Property of the priory of the Daurade from the 13th century, the site was sold after the French Revolution, then acquired by the city of Toulouse in 1962. Ranked in 1974, he benefited from further restorations and studies in 1990 and 2002. Its drainage system, including a sump connected to the water table, illustrates Roman engineering. Today, it offers a unique testimony of public life and shows in Roman Gaul.

Among the objects discovered are coins of the fourth century, cups of the first century, and a handle of canife representing a thrace gladiator. These artifacts, preserved at the Musée Saint-Raymond, shed light on the cultural and craft practices of the time. The Amphitheatre, symbol of the ancient Toulouse heritage, remains a key place to understand urbanization and leisure in the Gallo-Roman Tolosa.

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