The remains of a Roman amphitheater were uncovered in the mid-1990s . The amphitheater was built in the 2nd century , on the northwestern outskirts of Beit Guvrin . This amphitheater , in which gladiatorial contests took place , could seat about 3,500 spectators . It had a walled arena of packed earth , with subterranean galleries . The arena was surrounded by a series of connected barrel vaults , which formed a long , circular corridor and supported the stone seats above it ; staircases led from the outside and from the circular corridor to the tribunes . It was built for the Roman troops stationed in the region after the suppression of the Bar Kochba rebellion . The amphitheater is an elliptical structure built of large rectangular limestone ashlars . It was in use until destroyed in the Galilee earthquake of 363
Galilee earthquake of 363
Galilee earthquake of 363
Beit Guvrin National Park