Amphitheatre, theatre and little

theatre of Pompeii

There exist similarities between the theatres and amphitheatres of ancient Rome/Italy. They were constructed out of the same material, Roman concrete, and provided a place for the public to go and see numerous events throughout the Empire. However, they are two entirely different structures, with specific layouts that lend to the different events they held. Amphitheatres did not need superior acoustics, unlike those provided by the structure of a Roman theatre. While amphitheatres would feature races and gladiatorial events, theatres hosted events such as plays, pantomimes, choral events, and orations. Their design, with its semi-circular form, enhances the natural acoustics, unlike Roman amphitheatres constructed in the round.

Amphitheatre Theatre

The Theatre/The Great Theatre

Much of the architectural influence on the Romans came from the Greeks, and theatre structural design was no different from other buildings. However, Roman theatres have specific differences, such as being built upon their own foundations instead of earthen works or a hillside and being completely enclosed on all sides.

Greek theatre Roman theatre

• Often built into a hillside• Not enclosed on all sides• Spectators can see ‘outside world’

• Independent structure• Enclosed on all sides

Mosaic depicting Roman actors

The actors were always men (women were not allowed to participate). Each actor played several roles. They wore simple costumes that could be changed quickly and in public. The actors held up happy face masks and sad faced masks, to help the audience understand what was going on in the play. Over time, masks became very elaborate.

• The Amphitheatre of Pompeii is the oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre. • Built around 70 BC, the current amphitheatre was the first Roman amphitheatre to be built

out of stone, previously, they had been built out of wood. • The next Roman amphitheatre to be built from stone would be the Colosseum in Rome,

which postdates it by over a century. It was called a spectacula and not an amphitheatrum, since the latter term was not yet in use. It was built with the private funds of Quinctius Valgus and Marcius Porcius.

• Around AD 59, a deadly brawl occurred between Pompeians and Nuceria residents in the amphitheatre during games, which resulted in banning the events for 10 years.

• Amongst other events, it hosted gladiatorial games, which owing to the preservation of Pompeii has given insights into the gladiator culture of Rome.

• The amphitheatre's design is seen by some modern crowd control specialists as near optimal. Its washroom, located in the neighbouring palaestra has also been cited as an inspiration for better bathroom design in modern stadiums.

• It could seat around 20,000 people and served not only the citizens of Pompeii but also the inhabitants of surrounding towns.

Amphitheatre of Pompeii

The Amphitheatre at Pompeii, depicting the riot between the Nucerians and the Pompeians

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=6971b010096197d8dfd89dd71a555b12

The Popularity of the Games in Pompeii

The arena accommodated all social classes, demonstrating the universal popularity of the games. The 35 rows of seats which could accommodate 20000 people were divided into three areas to accommodate three distinct social groupings of spectators from the city and its outlying regions: the ima, media and summa cavea. The media was kept for the general populace whilst the ima cavae ran around the arena and was kept for well to do. Slaves and women and the lowest classes viewed the games form the summa cavae, at a distance from the show. Protection from the sun was provided by velaria suspended above the crowd from the top of the arena.The external walls of the amphitheatre were covered with posters praising the gladiators and recording the outcome of the contests. The Thracian Celadus is described as the ‘hero’ and ‘heartthrob of the girls’. The area around the amphitheatre developed into an area of taverns and eateries to provide pre and post games’ refreshment. Signs painted on the arena walls marking out rented spaces indicate that temporary booths were set up just outside the arena walls, selling souvenirs, food and drink.

The Structure and Design of Pompeii’s Amphitheatre

In contrast to later amphitheatres, Pompeii’s is very simple and represents and example of the earliest style of amphitheatre. It measures 135m long and 104m wide. Its arena was a pit excavated 6m below ground level with earth from the excavations heaped up into embankments that served as a seating area. All that divided the audience from the spectacle below them was a 2 metre balustrade which would have offered poor protection for those on the nearest seats during wild beats fights

The south and east sides of the structure were contained by the city walls which were joined by purpose built retaining walls to enclose the north and west. External staircases built into the walls were the earliest access ways to the seating areas which was initially wooden. There were only two entrances to the arena itself: the Porta Triumphalis which was used for the opening ceremony procession of gladiators and the Porta Libitinensis which was the exit point for the dead.

Improvements were made to the design and appearance of the amphitheatre during the repairs of 62AD. A new seating area was constructed and brick buttresses were added to support the access tunnels. A covered walkway was added in the seating area allowing access via stairways to the internal access corridor to allow the city’s elite to enter the amphitheatre through the main arena entrances rather than the external stairways.The balsrade of the arena was painted with bright panels depicting gladiator fights. Two inscribed statue niches over the northern entrance indicate this was funded by C. Crispus Pansa and his son.

The chief difference between Pompeii’s amphitheatre and later design is the lack of external structures. The arena is built on solid ground, without the underground vaults and cells for the containment of gladiators and animals found in later amphitheatres. The only internal feature was a simple corridor cut into the earth base of the cavea. Running the circumference of the amphitheatre, it was used to access to the arena.