Theatre at Leptis Magna

Greek

Roman Shakespeare

an

Roman features- Enclosed

building

- Several levels of exterior arches / interior seating

- Multi-level stage building

- Decorated stage and stage building

- Barrel vaults / Vomitoria underseats

- Use of Velarium

Compare with Greek Theatre

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

Theatre at Leptis Magna

Date: 1-2AD (Age of Augustus)

Location: Leptis Magna, North Africa

Commissioned by: Annobal Rufus, a local merchant. His name appears on an inscription.

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

When the father of the fatherland, Caesar Augustus, son of the deified [Caesar], was pontifex maximus, vested with the tribunician power for the twenty-fourth time, being consul for the thirteenth time, Annobal Rufus, the adorner of his country and lover of concord, priest, suffete, prefect of the sacred objects, the son of Himilco Tapapius, took care to build this at his own expense, and dedicated it.

The Latin text begins with the names and titles of the emperor (in this case Augustus). None of these are given in the Punic text.

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

The Cavea (seating) It is semi-circular

Ambulatories (passageways) divide the seating into three levels

Seating is divided up into wedge-shaped sections separated by staircases.

The Cavea (cont’d)

Vomitoria (underseat passageways) for entry and exit

Portico featuring marble Corinthian columns.

In the middle of the portico there is a temple to Ceres-Augusta.

Three levels of seating:

The UPPER LEVEL rests on a massive vaulted sub-structure.

The MIDDLE LEVEL is built on an artificial bank.

The LOWER LEVEL rests upon a natural bank.

(Also VIP seating could be added in the five front rows)

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

The Orchestra Semi-circular (unlike Greek orchestra – full circle)

Tribunalia (viewing boxes) were built above VIP entrances for most important citizens

Vaulted VIP entrances

Stone wall separated cavea from orchestra

Altar to unknown god

The Pulpitum and Proscaenium

Pulpitum (stage) was wooden

Statues of Hercules and Dionysus, patrons of the city

Niches in Proscaenium (stage front) would have held statues

The Scaena – Stage Building

Scaena is whole stage building

Central of 3 semi-circular recesses for entrance/exit of actors

Scaenae frons is the stage backdrop. It had 3 tiers of columns – the same height as the cavea)

1. Cavea

2. Pulpitum

3. Orchestra

4. Altar

5. Scaena

6. Scaenae Frons

7. Tribunalia

8. Vomitoria

9. Ambulatories

10. Portico

11. Temple to Ceres-Augusta

12. Temple to the Deified Emperors

13. Statues of patron gods.

14. Proscaenium

Later Additions to the Theatre

limestone columns on scaena frons

Tribunalia

Altar

Temple to Ceres-Augusta (Ceres of the Emperors)

Temple to Deified Emperors

Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)

The Temple Divi Augusta

Key Understanding: The additions to the Theatre at Leptis Magna were for religious purposes, and/or to promote the greatness of the Roman Empire, its religion and its Emperors in this far-off Roman colony.

Religious Features

1___________

- the tiered seating area.

2_____________

- the semi-circular lower floor area by the proscaenium.

3_____________

- the facade at the front of the stage.

4___________

- corridors into the theatre for exit and entry

6__________

- the raised stage platform for acting on.

7________________

- the front of the stage building, which provided a backdrop and entry and exit points for actors.

5__________

- the stage building itself, where the actors could prepare and props were stored.