Roman Theatre of Caesaraugusta
About
One of the largest Roman theatres ever built in Hispania, a 6,000-seat concrete-and-marble bowl loosely modeled on Rome's Theatre of Marcellus. Work began under Tiberius (14-37 CE) and was completed and refined under Claudius (41-54 CE). It stayed in use for centuries and declined only in the 3rd century, so it was certainly standing and functioning in 117 CE, giving the frontier colonia its taste of the capital's comedies and pantomimes. Lay forgotten under the old Jewish quarter until a chance 1972 building excavation on Calle Veronica brought it back to light.
What happened here
Seating is the message: the front rows are reserved by law for the town council, and everyone can see who is sitting where. The building is a half-circle against a tall stone backdrop that also serves as a permanent set, and the acoustics are good enough that an actor can be heard without effort. The programme is mime and pantomime more than the old tragedies — bawdy, topical, sometimes politically sharp enough that performers get exiled. Audiences are loud, partisan, and quite prepared to shout a piece down. Awnings and perfumed water sprays are laid on when the sponsor is generous. Shows are attached to religious festivals and paid for by a magistrate who wants the credit, and his name is on the seating.
Sources
Nearby
Roman Maps shows the empire frozen at 11 August 117 CE, the day Trajan died — its moment of greatest territorial extent. Explore the full map →