Theatre of Balbus
Encyclopedia
Theatre of Balbus was an ancient Roman structure in the Campus Martius
of Rome
. It was built in 13 BC by proconsul Lucius Cornelius Balbus (minor)
, likely from the spoils of a military campaign by order of Augustus
(Cassius Dio 54.18.2; Pliny the Elder
, Natural History (Pliny) 36.59-60).
Very little is mentioned of the theatre in ancient writings. Its location was debated for decades until pieces of the Forma Urbis were finally pieced together in the 1960s. Excavations of the theatre began in 1981 and are still ongoing, however, the main portion of the crypta finished in 2000. Today what has been excavated can be seen at the Museo Nazionale Romano Crypta Balbi (National Museum of Rome
), which is located at Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, (corner of Via M. Caetani).
The museum is located in what was the crypta or courtyard in the rear of the theater's complex behind the stage. This courtyard was the smallest of all of Rome's major theatres. Here patrons would stroll between acts of a performance and seek refreshment.
Campus Martius
The Campus Martius , was a publicly owned area of ancient Rome about in extent. In the Middle Ages, it was the most populous area of Rome...
of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. It was built in 13 BC by proconsul Lucius Cornelius Balbus (minor)
Lucius Cornelius Balbus (minor)
Lucius Cornelius Balbus , received Roman citizenship at the same time as his uncle....
, likely from the spoils of a military campaign by order of Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
(Cassius Dio 54.18.2; Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
, Natural History (Pliny) 36.59-60).
Very little is mentioned of the theatre in ancient writings. Its location was debated for decades until pieces of the Forma Urbis were finally pieced together in the 1960s. Excavations of the theatre began in 1981 and are still ongoing, however, the main portion of the crypta finished in 2000. Today what has been excavated can be seen at the Museo Nazionale Romano Crypta Balbi (National Museum of Rome
National Museum of Rome
The National Museum of Rome is a set of museums in Rome, Italy, split among various branches across the city...
), which is located at Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, (corner of Via M. Caetani).
The museum is located in what was the crypta or courtyard in the rear of the theater's complex behind the stage. This courtyard was the smallest of all of Rome's major theatres. Here patrons would stroll between acts of a performance and seek refreshment.