Theatre at Leptis Magna
Greek
Roman
Shakespearean
Roman
features
- Enclosed
building
- Several levels of
exterior arches /
interior seating
- Multi-level stage
building
Compare with Greek Theatre
- Decorated stage
and stage
building
- Barrel vaults /
Vomitoria
underseats
- Use of Velarium
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.
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)
Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)
The Cavea (seating)
It is semi-circular
Seating is divided up
into wedge-shaped
sections separated
by staircases.
Ambulatories (passageways) divide the
seating into three levels
The Cavea (cont’d)
Portico featuring
marble Corinthian
columns.
In the middle of
the portico there
is a temple to
Ceres-Augusta.
Vomitoria (underseat
passageways) for entry and exit
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
Altar to unknown
god
Stone wall
separated cavea
from orchestra
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
Scaenae frons is
the stage
backdrop. It had 3
tiers of columns –
the same height
as the cavea)
Central of 3 semicircular recesses
for entrance/exit of
actors
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
Tribunalia
Altar
Temple to CeresAugusta (Ceres of
the Emperors)
Temple to Deified
Emperors
limestone columns
on scaena frons
The Temple Divi Augusta
Photo: Sebastia Giralt (Flickr)
Religious Features
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.
1___________
2_____________
3_____________
- the tiered
seating area.
- the semi-circular
lower floor area by the
proscaenium.
- the facade at the
front of the stage.
5__________
4___________
- corridors into
the theatre for
exit and entry
6__________
- the stage
building itself,
where the
actors could
prepare and
props were
stored.
7________________
- the front of the stage building,
- the raised stage
platform for acting on. which provided a backdrop and
entry and exit points for actors.