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A thick outer wall surrounded the entire city. This view is from the Vesuvian Gate with the remains of one of towers still standing. In total there were twelve towers and possibly as many as nine gates.

5. The City Wall and the Arena

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Outside the Nola Gate.

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View from outside the wall along its southern face.

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The wall was built with great blocks of limestone isodomic tufo. Many stones still show the chiseled signatures believed to be of the builders.

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The great amphitheater of Pompeii, the first built of stone in the Roman world. It also served as part of the wall with towers on two sides as depicted in the ancient fresco below.

This fresco from Pompeii is currently housed in the Archaeological Museum in Naples. It depicts a 59CE riot between local Pompeians and Nucerians as described by Tacitus in his Annals, Book XIV, 17. Emperor Nero closed the amphitheater for ten years as punishment for civil disobedience.

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The amphitheater from inside the arena.