Theatre at Leptis Magna
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Transcript of Theatre at Leptis Magna
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.