Cirencester, or Corinium as it was known in Roman times, was the second most important Roman city in the province of Britannia, second only to Londinium. Evidence of Roman times are perhaps best exhibited on the edge of the town by Cirencester’s amphitheatre which dates from the 2nd Century. It is one of the largest and best preserved amphitheatres in Britain. It is covered by earth and the two curving mounds enclosed a central area for shows and entertainments. These mounds would have been accompanied with planking and dry stone walls to support wooden seats for the spectators.