Theatre at Leptis Magna AD 1 2 Background

Theatre at Leptis Magna AD 1 -2

Background information Leptis Magna is located on the coast of Tripolitania, North Africa. The city was established in the time of Augustus. What years was Augustus ruling? Archelogical evidence of the city shows that before it was a Roman province, it was a Phonecian (Punic) trading harbour. This strongly influenced the city’s art and architecture, and gave it a unique flavour. By the end of the 2 nd century BC, Leptis Magna was one of the wealthiest provincial cities in the Roman Empire.

Theatres Read the pages entitled ‘The Theatre’ in your workbooks This piece is named the Theatre at Lepcis Magna or Theatre at Leptis Magna ……Both are correct

Vocabulary Cavea = semi-circular seating area Scaena frons = stage backdrop Velarium = sunshade Vomitorium = vaulted passages Skene = stage building Proscaenium = front stage area Orchestra = half circle centre of theatre Pulpitum = stage Tribunalia = official boxes for magistrates Praecinctiones = horizontal walkways that divide up each tier of seating Postscaenium = group of rooms behind the scaenae frons where actors could prepare See p. 28 of Paul Artus - draw/sketch into your workbooks & label & annotate the parts

Details for your workbooks: Location: On the Mediterranean coastline, in Libya, North Africa. The Roman province, Tripolitania Architectural type: Theatre (functional) Purpose: Entertainment venue Dates of construction: AD 1 -2, built by Annobal Rufus (wealthy citizen of Leptis Magna) – His name has both Carthaginian (Punic) & Roman elements, showing the ethnic mix of the city. He also built a market in Leptis Magna in 9 -8 BC.

Changes made to theatre after its construction: Soon after construction: Tribunalia or ‘official boxes’ were built over the side entrance. A colonnade at the top of the seating area was built. AD 35 -6: a temple to Ceres-Augustus was built on the upper walkway of the area (when Tiberius was emperor) AD 43 (time of emperor Claudius): the temple of the deified emperors (Di Augusti) built in AD 43 built behind the scene building AD 91: A city had an octangular altar put at the front of the bottom shallow step in AD 91 by Tiberius Claudius Sextius Mid-2 nd century AD: Under the emperor Antoninus Pius, the orginal grey limestone – columns on the scanae frons were replaced by marble

features Exterior decoration is plain. There are monumental masonry blocks with a ring of engaged pilasters 5 arched openings provide access to the internal corridors and staircases The middle and upper tier of the seating (cavea) are the only visible parts Cavea (90 m in diameter) is designed in the typical semi-circular shape favoured by the Romans. Leading members of Leptis Magna society entered through their own entrances, either side of theatre, & sat right at the front on ornate marble thrones (called bisellia), these thrones had legs carved as lion’s paws. These aristocrats were separated from the rest of the audience by a low marble throne. Marble alter to an unknown male god was placed on the steps, along theatre’s central axis At the very top of the seating (cavea) behind the upper tier, a colonnade of corinthian columns, in the centre of it is the temple to Ceres Augusta (which dates from the time of

Religious practices of the Romans: Theatre was seen as a religious practice – going to theatre was honouring the god of theatre, Dionysus. Often at the beginning of performances a prayer & libation would be made to Dionysus. Aspects of this theatre which reflected the religious practices of the Romans include the statues in the niches behind the stage. There is a temple to Ceres -Augusta located at the top of the Cavea. There is a bust of Hercules and Dionysus, the patron deities of the city.

Imperial propaganda A Temple dedicated to deified emperor’s was built within theatre precinct, located behind the stage buildings. Title ‘Augusta’ attached to the name of the goddess Ceres Use of Roman features of decoration Use of limestone This all showed that even the furthermost areas of the empire, the emperor exerted control, and how great Rome was & showed that Lepcis Magna was a great and civilised city.

Homework: Complete your sketch of theatre & its features Complete previous exam questions in your Paul Artus book, p. 29