Amphitheatrum Castrense te Rome 1575

Étienne Dupérac made this etching of the Amphitheatrum Castrense in Rome, sometime around 1575, using ink on paper. It presents us with a paradox: a site of ancient entertainment and public spectacle, now in ruins. Dupérac made this print to feed a growing interest in ancient Roman monuments among both scholars and tourists. By the 16th century, Rome had become a pilgrimage site of sorts, and the ruins of the amphitheater were being transformed into Christian monuments. We see this in the print as the amphitheater has clearly been repurposed into a sacred space. As an art historian, my job is to situate this image within its historical context, not just as a depiction of a ruin but as a cultural artifact. The print testifies to a changing Rome, a city layering new meanings onto its ancient past. To truly understand this image, we must consider sources ranging from archaeological reports to travel guides to fully appreciate its historical resonance.