The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate X. Aurelian Walls and Amphitheatrum Castrense. 1756

This etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, created in 1756, depicts the ruins of the Amphitheatrum Castrense in Rome. Piranesi's dramatic perspective emphasizes the grandeur and decay of the ancient structure, as seen through a dense tangle of foliage, inviting viewers to contemplate the fleeting nature of human achievement. The detailed inscription provides a key to identifying various structures, including the Aurelian Walls and the Basilica di San Clemente. Piranesi’s masterful use of light and shadow adds depth and dimension to the composition, revealing the beauty and power of the Roman past.