The ancient city of Aventicum Lavoex Furniture from an incineration burial from the 1st century BC. AD The Roman city of Aventicum was born around the turn of our era. Its population is estimated at 20,000 people in the 1st century AD. AD From the end of Antiquity, the city served as a quarry, but several monuments still testify to its past greatness. The founding of the city of Aventicum is probably related to the abortive attempt to migrate the Helvetians in 58 BCE and their forced return to their starting point. The name of the city derives from that of the Celtic protective goddess Aventia. Aventicum was the capital of the Helvetians. Shows and audiences Amphitheater In the arena, animal or gladiator fights take place, reconstituted hunts, under the gaze of the whole people, distributed on the stands according to the social hierarchy. The games are offered by notables, most often "for the salvation of the emperor". The city authorities parade with the effigies of the gods and the combatants during an inaugural procession which opens these festivities, at once religious, political and popular. The two states of the building The amphitheater was erected at the beginning of the 2nd century, no doubt, the earthworks clearing the arena and shaping the embankment which receives the bleachers, perhaps partly of wood; only the masonry is the stairs, the arena and coronation walls, as well as the axial entrances. In the last third of the same century, the building was enlarged, provided with stone bleachers, a perimeter facade with niches and a monumental portal in large blocks to the east.