Theatre of Pompey
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The Theatre of Pompey (Latin Theatrum Pompeium, Italian: Teatro di Pompeo) is an ancient building in Rome, built around 55 BC, once the world's largest theater. It was one of the first permanent (non-wooded) theatres in Rome. Pompey financed his theatre to gain political popularity. It was not only a theatre; the building also had a large central garden decorated with statues of great artists and actors, and a space suitable for holding public gatherings and meetings. The theatre was crowned with a temple to Venus Victrix, Pompey's personal deity (compared to Julius Caesar'sworship of Venus Genetrix as his personal deity), this was not mere piety, but essential in order that the structure should not be seen as a self-promoting extravagance as well as overcome a moratorium on permanent theatre buildings.
The whole structure was surrounded by colonnaded porticos recalling classical Greek architecture. This architecture was copied for nearly all future theatres and amphitheaters within the ancient city of Rome and throughout the empire. Notable structures that used this similer style are the Colosseum and the Theatre of Marcellus, both of which have ruins that still exist in Rome today.
Occasionally , the Roman Senate would meet at the Theatre of Pompey in its Curia located at the rear of the complex. One such meeting was on the Ides of March, 44 BC. It was during this meeting that Julius Caesar was killed.
This single violant act was one of the most memorable moments in Roman history.
There has been much confusion about the location of this assassination. This is probably due to the fact that the Curia was burned to the ground by angry Roman citizens after the murder. Additionally the Curia Hostilia, which, at the time, was being rebuilt by Caesar, (which was the reason the Senate had to meet at Pompey's Curia) also burned down and had to be rebuilt as well.
The remains of the east side of the Portico attached to the theatre and 3 earlier temples that are often assocoated with the theatre can be seen on the Largo di Torre Argentina. The scarce remains of the theatre itself can be found off the Via di Grotta Pinta underground; vaults from the original theatre can be found in the cellar rooms of restaurants off this street, as well as in the walls of the hotel Albergo Sole al Biscione
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[edit] The site today
Due in large part to Christian influence and the church view on theater, the site fell into disrepair and much was dismantled and carted of to build other structures throughout the city. Part of the building was made into a fortress during medieval times. Much of what is left today is located in cellars of the surrounding neighborhood of hotels, homes and restaurants.
Located in the Campus Martius a dense neighborhood of later buildings has grown in and around the area, The entire site is now covered by later buildings and streets. However, the shape of the theatre is still distinguishable in an aerial view. In some locations, buildings were built directly on top of the theatres original foundations from the curved seating. This has resulted several curved buildings and streets.
[edit] Archaeological work
Limited archaeological work of the site has taken place over the years. Many early excavations were not ducumented however a few have done some work to estimate the area and map out plans based on the broken marble map that once hung in the Forum Romanum called the Forma Urbis Romae.
Newer, more recent studies have been carried out just in the past few years. And more information is coming to light. Reconstructions in 3D computer generated imagery have been developed.
[edit] Similar theatres that still exist
Although the Theatre of Pompey no longer exists as a structure today, many similer buildings do survive throughout Europe and Africa. They help us to understand what the Theatre of Pompey was to the ancients, and how this single theatre had influences all over the empire. One of the best examples of this type of theatre can be found in the town of Orange, Rhone Valley France, known as Théâtre antique d'Orange.
Roman theatre (structure) was highly influenced by the Theatre of Pompey. Although itself influenced by Greek theater, Pompey's theatre differed in that it was a free standing structure that was nearly completely inclosed. The Greeks built their theatres into an existing hillside and clearly open on all sides.
[edit] See also
[edit] External references
- The Pompey Project
- The Theatre of Pompey
- Theatrum Pompei at LacusCurtius (article in Platner's Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome)
- theaterofpompey.com
- Roma Online Guide
