Pompey's Theatre
Pompey’s theatre was an ancient Roman Theatre built during
the latter part of the Roman Republican era, located in Regione IX Circus
Flaminius (1 of the 14 regions of Augustan Rome) and
had multiple purposes besides being a theatre. It took 7 years to be built and was
considered to be complete in 55B.C. It was the first non-wooden theatre and
considered to be the largest theatre built during the ancient and modern
periods. Many other theatres built within the Republic and the Empire were influenced
by Pompey’s Theatre structure, but varying in size. The theatre was designed by
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus a military and political leader of the late Roman
Republic) who financed his theatre for the intention of gaining political
popularity during his second consulship. The theatre had multiple purposes and features
besides a theatre including;
· A large Crypta (stone chamber beneath the floor, typically storing coffins, sarcophagi, or religious relics.) · An area located behind the stage that was used by patrons between acts or productions to stroll and purchase refreshments or just to escape to the covered porticoes from the sun or rain · The Porticus Pompei that contained statues of great artists and actors · Long arcades, exhibiting collections of paintings and sculptures that were also used as assembly areas for public gatherings and meetings. · Extravagant fountains that were located in the gardens · The Curia, used as meeting place for the senate · Venus Victrix, a raised temple on the theatre that was the highest point of the structure. |
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A video showing a model reconstruction of Pompey's Theatre. Source from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBo8lhwsE8
The theatre was made from marble and was 300 ft. wide; the height
is unknown but it is estimated that the highest point of the theatre was 6
stories high, in comparison to the Colosseum. The theatre could seat 5,000 to
8,000 people and the whole complex could fit around 28 000. The structure is similar to the Greek style of architecture, for example the curvature in the cavia and central position of the stage. The YouTube video above, of a model reconstruction of Pompey's theatre gives an impression of the size and extravagance of its structure. Only a small area of Pompey's Theatre remains in todays modern society, and the rest of the remains have been built over, which the buildings mimic the structure of Pompey's theatre.
Pompey’s theatre is significant for its structure, purpose
and the historical events which occurred in its interior. The theatre had religious and political significance
as well as the cultural prominence of its entertainment. The theatre was seen
to be a shrine to Venus (source- Tertullian, Pagan Entertainment ) suggested by
the temple of Venus Victrix added to its structure. The theatre was also seen to be a monument of
victory as it was decorated with the goddess Nike (victory goddess) and
representations of the nations that Pompey had restrained in battle. The Curia Pompeia, located at the entrance of
Pompey’s Theatre, was designed as a meeting place for the Senate. The Curia
Pompeia is significantly known as the location where Julius Caesar was murdered
by the Roman Senate in 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by the
Senate as they feared that Caesar would overthrow the Senate in favour of
tyranny. In Jean-Leon Gerome painting ‘La Mort de César’ she has created a
realistic representation of Julius Casear assassination by the Senate in the Curia
Pompeia, as his body is abandoned in the foreground of the painting as the
Senate leave in triumph.
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Pompey’s theatre’s most significant role was for
entertainment; it held comedic plays, gladiatorial games and wild beast fights.
Its primary purpose was to stage Greek and Roman Mythology. It also contained many symbols dedicated to
Pompey’s military and political deftness, which became of a higher prominence after
his death. The Pompey’s Theatre although
no longer existence can be seen as a highly significant structure due to its, political,
religious, historical values and the events and symbols that were displayed in
its structure.
Questions
1. What were the significant features Pompey's stucture have? and what purpose did they oppose?
2. How did Pompey's Theatre reflect the creator's (Pompey's) attributes?
1. What were the significant features Pompey's stucture have? and what purpose did they oppose?
2. How did Pompey's Theatre reflect the creator's (Pompey's) attributes?
Bibliography
Aicher, P. (2004). 'Theatre of Pompey, Additional Source Material', Rome Reborn, Retrieved July 2015 from:
http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Altair4 (2014). 'Theatre of Pompey', YouTube, Retrieved July 2015 from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBo8lhwsE8
Eimeren, L. 'The Theatre of Pompey', Immslatin, Retrieved July 2015 from:
http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Hendry, A. (2008). 'Pompey's Theatre', Slideshare, Retreived July 2015 from: http://www.romanaqueducts.info/aquasite/romanovus/
Miller, M. (2010). 'Ancient Rome: Theatre of Pompey', Youtube, Retrieved July 2015 from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mOd7lIGOE
Imslatinlast updated July 2015) . 'Curia of Pompey', , Retrieved August 2015 from: http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Immslatin (last updated August 2015). 'Theatre of Pompey', Retrieved August 2015 from: http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Wikipedia, (2015). 'Assassination of Julius Caesar', Retrieved August 2015 from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Julius_Caesar
Wikipedia, (2015). "Theatre of Pompey", Retrieved July 2015 from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Pompey
Aicher, P. (2004). 'Theatre of Pompey, Additional Source Material', Rome Reborn, Retrieved July 2015 from:
http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Altair4 (2014). 'Theatre of Pompey', YouTube, Retrieved July 2015 from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBo8lhwsE8
Eimeren, L. 'The Theatre of Pompey', Immslatin, Retrieved July 2015 from:
http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Hendry, A. (2008). 'Pompey's Theatre', Slideshare, Retreived July 2015 from: http://www.romanaqueducts.info/aquasite/romanovus/
Miller, M. (2010). 'Ancient Rome: Theatre of Pompey', Youtube, Retrieved July 2015 from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mOd7lIGOE
Imslatinlast updated July 2015) . 'Curia of Pompey', , Retrieved August 2015 from: http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Immslatin (last updated August 2015). 'Theatre of Pompey', Retrieved August 2015 from: http://lmmslatin.wikispaces.com/The+Theater+of+Pompey
Wikipedia, (2015). 'Assassination of Julius Caesar', Retrieved August 2015 from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Julius_Caesar
Wikipedia, (2015). "Theatre of Pompey", Retrieved July 2015 from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Pompey