The Theater of Marcellus

Q: What happened in the Theatre of Marcellus?

Inaugurated in 12 BC by Augustus , the Theatre of Marcellus primarily hosted drama and song performances, serving as one of Rome's most important public venues for centuries.

Q: Why was the Theatre of Marcellus built?

Built as a monument to Marcus Marcellus, Augustus's nephew who died in 23 BC, the theatre supported Augustus's public works program, asserting his power and improving Rome's public infrastructure.

Q: Who created the Theater of Marcellus?

Although the precise architect is unknown, the Theatre of Marcellus, completed in 13 BC, is believed to be the work of Marcus Vitruvius Pollio , a prominent architect of that era.

Q: Is the Theatre of Marcellus still standing?

Yes, the Theatre of Marcellus, despite some damage, stands today as one of Rome's best-preserved architectural structures. Now a residential and commercial building, it continues to contribute to Rome's cityscape.

Q: How long did it take to build the Theater of Marcellus?

Starting from its commissioning by Julius Caesar in the mid-1st century BC, the construction of the Theatre of Marcellus spanned multiple decades, and it was ultimately completed by Augustus in 13 BC.

Q: What material is the Theater of Marcellus built from?

The Theatre of Marcellus was built using travertine stone , tuff (a type of volcanic rock), and Roman concrete. These materials were commonly used in Roman architecture of the 1st century BC.

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The Theater of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello) is a structure whose construction was started by Julius Caesar. It was finished by Augustus in 13 B.C. and dedicated to his favorite nephew Marcellus. The building is one of the ancient examples of entertainment venues important for Romans.

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Construction History of the Theater of Marcellus

The Theater of Marcellus was built in the Campus Martius area, between the Tiber and the Campidoglio. Also, its location is downhill from the Capitol, on the way to the Mouth of Truth. Augustus, the first Roman emperor who claimed that he found the Eternal City in clay and left it if marble, dedicated the construction to his favorite nephew, Marcellus. However, instead of being the following emperor, Marcellus died young and became the first to be laid in the mausoleum of Augustus.

The Theater had great strategic importance. Therefore, under the rule of the Fabi family, it built a fortress on top of the arches. However, eventually, the construction was under the command of the Savelli and Orsini families.

Engraving How the Roman theater of Marcellus looked like in the Middle Ages

In the 16^th century, the former theatre was converted into the palace (palazzo) and later, it was transformed into the construction with luxury apartments

Facts and Shows about the Theater of Marcellus

Nowadays, the Theater of Marcellus consists of the high arches of the ancient Theater, medieval walls, and additions of Baldassare Peruzzi, who was working on the conversion of the Theater into a Renaissance palace.

You can’t get inside the building (only in case if you know a resident) or upon a request allowed once per year

The archeological area around the base is also open in the daytime and accessible to visitors. It is a great place to admire ancient arches, archaeological excavations, and the Portico of Octavia, located next to the Theater. Also, it originally had 41 arches for each of three classical tiers: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The uppermost portion was decorated with colossal marble theater masks. Today, in the summertime, the piano recitals are held there.

Comparison to the Colosseum and Seating Plan

Marcellus’s Theater is the primary version of the Colosseum, but it is not the Colosseum, the original Roman amphitheater.

The Theater Marcello was created first and it served as the model for the Colosseum, which became more famous area

The construction was started by Julius Caesar in 27 B.C., while the Theater was finished in 14 A.D. by Augustus Caesar, as mentioned above. The travertine of Marcellus was 33 m (108 feet) high and 130 m (427 feet) across, with the possibility to hold from 15 thousand to 20 thousand spectators. Visitors could quickly leave the Theater because of special tunnels and ramps. Moreover, the building was covered by a sail to provide shade and had moveable scenery. The interior included 36 bronze vases for better acoustics.

Read also about the best theaters and opera houses in Rome.

Useful Information

Location: Via del Teatro di Marcello
Tel. (+39) 06 45615180
Website: www.turismoroma.it
Admission is free

How to Get Inside the Theater

It is open for visits during the annual Culture Week (Settimana della Cultura)
More info: sovraintendenzaroma.it

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The Theater of Marcellus is a beautiful ancient construction. Undoubtedly, it is worth visiting to see its arches and archaeological excavations.

FAQ about the Theatre of Marcellus

What happened in the Theatre of Marcellus?

Why was the Theatre of Marcellus built?

Who created the Theater of Marcellus?

Is the Theatre of Marcellus still standing?

How long did it take to build the Theater of Marcellus?

What material is the Theater of Marcellus built from?

Author: Kate Zusmann

For the last 10 years, I live in the Eternal City. Traveling, exploring new things, writing blogs, and shooting vlogs are my main hobbies, but the thing that I like even more is sharing my experience and thoughts with you! Explore Rome with Us :)

The Theater of Marcellus

Construction History of the Theater of Marcellus

Facts and Shows about the Theater of Marcellus

Comparison to the Colosseum and Seating Plan