1. Theatre at Leptis Magna
AD 1-2

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 2nd century BC, Leptis Magna was one of the wealthiest provincial cities in the Roman Empire.

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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: AD1-2, 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 9-8BC.

7. Changes made to the 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)
AD43 (time of emperor Claudius): the temple of the deified emperors (Di Augusti) built in AD43 built behind the scene building
AD91: A city had an octangular altar put at the front of the bottom shallow step in AD91 by Tiberius Claudius Sextius
Mid-2nd century AD: Under the emperor Antoninus Pius, the orginal grey limestone – columns on the scanae frons were replaced by marble

8. 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 (90m 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 the 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 the 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

9. Religious practices of the Romans:
Theatre was seen as a religious practice – going to the theatre was honouring the god of the 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.

10. Imperial propaganda
A Temple dedicated to deified emperor’s was built within the 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.

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