Discover Stadium of Domitian

Hidden about 4.50 metres below street level, exactly underneath the lively and elegant piazza Navona, is one of the most imposing and historically rich structures of ancient Rome: the Stadium of Domitian.

It was built for a festival, and it was the first of its kind. Constructed to celebrate the Certamen Capitolino Iovi, held in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and instituted in imitation of the Olympic games, the Stadium was inaugurated in 86 AD and is the first and only example of a stadium in masonry.

The contests came with handouts and poetry. The competitions held inside — during which it was customary to distribute allowances and gifts to the neediest of the people — were dedicated to athletic contests and also included musical and poetic challenges, held in the Odeon built nearby for the purpose. The games were presided over by the emperor, who for the occasion wore a purple toga and carried on his head a golden crown with the effigy of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

And Rome did not take to them. Domitian's intention was to sensitise and involve the Romans in practising athletics more — the sport par excellence — and non-violent sports in the Greek manner. But these games, so appreciated by Domitian, were little loved by the citizens, who considered them insufficiently manly.

The programme explains why. It took in running, wrestling, boxing, the pankration — a form of wrestling in which everything was permitted except biting and scratching — and the pentathlon, comprising the discus and the javelin, the long jump, the stadium race and the wrestling bout. The Roman people obviously preferred boxing and the pankration, disciplines that excelled in violence and brutality.

But winning here could change your life. The athletes, generally professionals of Greek or Eastern nationality, competed not only for money but for the great honours they received; the contests were open also to ordinary citizens, who in case of victory could reach high social rank. Unlike the gladiators and the venatores, whose social condition was of the lowest level, the standing of these athletes could bring them Roman citizenship, fiscal privileges or exemption from military service.

Its shape is preserved in a modern square. The Stadium was a building of very elongated rectangular form with one end in the shape of a hemicycle and the other straight and slightly oblique, and it lies about 4.50 metres below street level, exactly underneath piazza Navona.

Its dimensions are precise. It measured 275 metres in length by 106 of width and could hold about 30,000 spectators — against the Colosseum's 50,000 to 60,000.

Its materials were brick, stucco and travertine. It was built in brick faced with moulded and coloured stucco, while the facade and the internal pillars of the ambulatory were in travertine.

And it was a first. Turismo Roma records it as the first and only example of a stadium in masonry.

A second building completed the complex. The musical and poetic challenges were held in the Odeon built nearby for the purpose.

It was built for a specific festival. The Stadium was constructed to celebrate the Certamen Capitolino Iovi, disputed in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and instituted in imitation of the Olympic games, and inaugurated in 86 AD.

It broke with how stadiums had been made. Turismo Roma calls it the first and only example of a stadium in masonry.

Its structure was brick, dressed to look richer. Built in brick faced with moulded and coloured stucco, with the facade and the internal pillars of the ambulatory in travertine.

Its form followed the track. Very elongated rectangular, 275 by 106 metres, with one end in the shape of a hemicycle and the other straight and slightly oblique — the turning end and the starting end of a running course.

And an Odeon was built beside it, for the purpose of the musical and poetic challenges.

Can I visit it? Not at present. Turismo Roma states that the Archaeological Area is closed for restoration works and tells visitors to consult the official site for updates.

What are the opening hours? None are published, because the site is closed.

How much does it cost? No price is published. The city gives a booking link and the Sovrintendenza page only.

Where exactly is it? About 4.50 metres below street level, exactly underneath piazza Navona; the entrance is at Via di Tor Sanguigna 3.

Is Piazza Navona really the stadium? Yes — the square sits directly above it and keeps the plan: a very elongated rectangle with one end in the shape of a hemicycle and the other straight and slightly oblique.

When was it built? Inaugurated in 86 AD, to celebrate the Certamen Capitolino Iovi.

What was the Certamen Capitolino Iovi? A festival held in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and instituted in imitation of the Olympic games.

How big was it? 275 metres by 106, holding about 30,000 spectators — the Colosseum held 50,000 to 60,000.

What was it made of? Brick faced with moulded and coloured stucco, with the facade and the internal pillars of the ambulatory in travertine. It is the first and only example of a stadium in masonry.

What events were held? Running, wrestling, boxing, the pankration — everything permitted except biting and scratching — and the pentathlon: discus, javelin, long jump, the stadium race and the wrestling bout. Musical and poetic challenges were held in the Odeon built nearby.

Were the games popular? No. They were so appreciated by Domitian but little loved by the citizens, who considered them insufficiently manly.

What could an athlete win? Besides money and the great honours they received, victory could bring Roman citizenship, fiscal privileges or exemption from military service — unlike the gladiators and the venatores, whose social condition was of the lowest level.