PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE STADIUM‐AMPHITHEATRE EXCAVATIONS AT PERGE: TRACES OF <i>PONTARII</i> AND <i>DAMNATIO AD BESTIAS</i>?

Summary Although it has been long known that the northern part of the Perge stadium was converted into an amphitheatre with some modifications, due to limited excavation work in this area, a preliminary assessment has never been made. However, important results were obtained from excavations conducted between 2018 and 2022. Architectural finds, including two small animal gates and eight reused base blocks, have been associated with installations related to the spectacles held in the arena. Detailed research on the bases has revealed that these finds are archaeologically unique and may be connected to public displays of pontarii, damnatio ad bestias (condemnation to the beasts), and cruciarius (crucifixion). Additionally, other archaeological finds from the excavations, along with our comparisons, suggest that the amphitheatre section was likely constructed between the late third and second half of the fourth centuries AD.