The ancient Sabine city of Amiternum in the hamlet of San Vittorino (province of L’Aquila) was named for the River Aterno that flows nearby or, as Strabo remembers it, once crossed the settlement. Popular local worship at the time included that of Feronia, Hercules and Fortune, whose temple was rebuilt after a fire. The theatre of Amiternum, situated in the central city area of Ara di Saturno, dates to the reign of Emperor Augustus and has a cavea which was mostly hollowed from the hill slope on the eastern side and built up with eight supporting walls to the west. An inscription records that it was abandoned after 4th century BCE and excavations have shown that it was then used as a necropolis. The amphitheatre was on the edge of the settlement, to the right of the river, a small two-storey building whose perimeter featured 48 arches which are still conserved today. The arena, unfortunately almost entirely built over now, probably had a capacity of about 6,000 spectators. Nearby is the Church of San Michele Arcangelo which provides access to the catacombs.
Film Commission d'Abruzzo
Centro Regionale Beni Culturali - Sulmona
Phone: + 39 0864 576303
Email: crbc@regione.abruzzo.it
