in light of our change of plan to stay in Avignon we were able to spend time in Nimes and look around the amphitheatre. So Roman ruins two days in a row, Orange though had a theatre for stage productions usually either a comedy or a tragedy depending on the trend at the time. Nimes though has an amphitheatre, here was the real deal, combat to the death, public executions and lots of blood, and in more recent times bullfighting. We learnt today that the term “arena” comes from the Latin for sand, this was spread in the combat zone to soak up the blood and gore and was changed often during a days session.
As is the case for Orange, Nimes claim theirs is the most complete structure for an amphitheatre in the world and indeed there is a lot of original stonework left and like Orange events are still staged there.
We were surprised by Nimes it is a very pleasant city and is on our list for next time.
Matador staute
Roman bottoms were once on these seats
Roman feet trod these steps
On the beach near Sete