Theatres of Ancient Rome

• Roman Theatres were Greek in style, with a semi-circular seating area to maximise the acoustics and often built on their own foundations. They are found all over the Roman Empire.
• Whereas Amphitheatres were for Races, Games and Gladiator Displays, Theatres were for Plays, Musical Performances, Choral Events, Orations and Recitations.

Pompey's Stone Theatre (55 BCE)

• Pompey’s Stone Theatre was the first stone theatre to be built in Rome and was completed by Pompey in 55 BCE.
• The Theatre was semicircular in design, with gardens laid out behind and a Curia for the Senate to conduct meetings, in addition to the various temples they used.
• Assassination of Julius Caesar took place in the Theatre in 44 BCE.
• The Theatre is no longer standing although its footprint can just about be made out.

Marcellus’ Theatre (13 BCE)

• The Theatre of Marcellus became the largest theatre in Rome and could hold up to 20,000 spectators.
• The Theatre is still standing.

Theatre and Crypt of Balbus (13 BCE)

• Built in the Campus Martius by Lucius Balbus the Younger. It was a small stone Theatre.
• The Theatre is no longer standing.