Caesar vs Pompey
The Theatre of Marcellus was an ancient Roman arena used for games, dramas, and religious festivities during the Empire. The idea for the theatre was conceived by Julius Caesar, who cleared the space where it still stands today with the intention of rivalling the Theatre of Pompey, his political rival (the Colosseum had not yet been built).
Unfortunately for him, Caesar was assassinated before construction began. His nephew and adopted son and heir Octavian, who became Emperor Augustus, took over the project and by 17 BC it was in use for ludi – religious festivals with sacrifices and games – although it was not fully completed until 13 BC.
Marcellus memorial
The theatre takes its name from Marcellus, the nephew of Augustus by his favourite sister Octavia, and Augustus’s chosen heir to the Empire. Marcellus died at the age of 19 in 23 BC. The semicircular theatre, with its 41 double-tiered arches and Greek columns, could hold approximately 14,000 spectators. It was the largest in Rome before the Colosseum. The spectators would have been in a semi-circular seating area, while the gladiators or actors would be on the stage which was on the bank of the Tiber.
Today you can still see about one third of the seating area of the Theatre on the Via del Teatro di Marcello, right behind the Jewish Ghetto and the Portico of Octavia. The bottom two levels of the Theatre are still intact, while there are 16th century apartments built on top: a fascinating image of Rome's layered history.
