Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Arena

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

ARE'NA. The flat oval floor in the interior of an amphitheatre, where the wild beasts and gladiators fought, so called because it was sprinkled over with sand to prevent the feet from slipping (Suet. Nero, 53. Juv. Sat. iv. 100.); see the second wood-cut s. AMPHITHEATRUM, which represents the amphitheatre at Pompeii, in its present state; the arena is the flat space in the centre, where the two small figures are standing.