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vomitoriaj, which led from the arched vaidts before mentioned to die feats. The voraitoriffl
were divided into three rows, each containing thirty of thefe avenues ; fo that ninety feparate
entrances led to the interior of the Amphitheatre.
This fuperb edifice is biiilt of free-ftone, moft of the blocks being of an amazing fize,
the Author having himfelf meafured feveral of eigliteen feet long, two feet higli, and
twenty inches broad. Many of them arc joined together by a ftrong cement, but the
greater part are merely placed one over the other, with a ihort iron bar or cramp leaded
in each.
It has been noticed that the external architedhire of this noble biulding had not many
of its ornaments exiiting; yet the figures of two children fuclded by a ilie wolf, in bas
rehef, flanding on a pillar between the eaiiern and northern gates, muft not be omitted
a ti'ait of hiftory fo univerfally kno%vn, that it needs no comment. It is however an undoubted
proof that the p r ivi l y of Roman citizens was granted to the inliabitants of
Nifmes foon after the eftabliihment of the colony. There is befides on one of the pillars
of the fuperior portico, contiguous to the nortliem gale, the figiues of t\vo gladiators, in
the heat of combat, holding a poignard in one hand, and a ihield in the other. There are
alfo fome others, of too indelicate a nature to allow of being defcribed in the prefent
work.
The Author however purpofes fubjoining to his original plan an extra plate, reprefenting
the moil curious figures and ftatues foimd in this city.
At the commencement of the fifth century this noble edifice was llil] made ufe of in its
original ftate; but in 472 the town, as well as the reft of the province, having fallen
under the dominion of the Viligotlis, the inhabitants of Nifmes were denied the ufe of it.
Thefe barbarians, in the fubfequent wars which tliey had with the Francs, fortified it as a
citadel, and raifed within it a caftle; two towers of which are partly to be feeu. They
furrounded it with a broad and deep folTe, which was not filled up til) the thirteenth
century.
In 720 it fell into tlie hands of the Saracens, who kept it till 737, when Charles
Martcl of France having defeated them, and taken Nifmes, he endeavoured in vain to
deftroy the Coloflbum, but was forced to keep it as a citadcl.
After that lime the Counts of Provence made moft excellent ufe of it in leveral of their
wars, having fuftained a luimber of fucceffive attacks in it; fo that its prcfei-vation is truly,
wonderful.
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