DOORS TO DEATH: THE FINAL REPORT OF THE STADIUM‐AMPHITHEATRE EXCAVATIONS AT PERGE

Summary Recent excavations at the Perge stadium have led to the complete exposure of its amphitheatre section, revealing a unique architectural configuration along the arena‐facing façade of the southern carceres. There five adjacent doorways were uncovered. Functioning as a mechanism akin to a hypogeum, this arrangement represents a remarkably innovative solution within Roman architectural practice. The associated discovery of new base blocks, additional vaulted cells, and finds depicting scenes of Roman spectacle not only reinforces earlier interpretations but also offers important new insights into how the ideology and choreography of Roman spectacle culture were locally reimagined in the provinces of Lycia and Pamphylia. Furthermore, ongoing excavations in the stadium’s running track have brought to light architectural features indicating that this area also underwent structural modifications contemporaneous with the amphitheatre’s transformation.