Palestra 1

View looking southeast at the Palestra.  The Palestra is a large enclosed exercise area that is located southwest of the Amphitheater (visible on the left side of the image).  It is surrounded by covered porticos and measures 460 x 460 ft. (140 x 140 m.).  In the center (visible) is a sunken pool 75 x 115 ft. (23 x 35 m.).  It was built in the first century A.D. and was used for the physical and intellectual training of young citizens.

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The following is a painting of a riot in the Amphitheater that was found in one of the houses of Pompeii.  On the right side of the painting, the square structure with the pool in the center is the large Palestra (exercise area)—that still exists.  On the near wall of the Palestra the Latin inscription announced games that were put on by a Lucretius and his son prior to the event depicted in the image.  Amphitheater is on the left side of the painting.