Grand Theater

The Grand Theater of Pompeii was a semi-circular structure that dates back to the second century BC. The Romans had a great passion for theater and this building was a testament to this. Over the centuries, the theater has been expanded and modified until it has a capacity of around 5,000 spectators. The cavea, the tiered area where the spectators sat, was carved into the hill and divided by corridors into three separate areas. Each area was then divided into five sectors, based on social class. The highest seats were reserved for the people and to protect the spectators from the sun, the steps were covered by a velarium, made up of large poles holding a large tarpaulin. Before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the theater underwent an important restoration thanks to Marco Holconio Rufo and Marco Holconio Celere, members of an important family of Etruscan origin. In exchange for their contribution, they were allowed to erect a large arch in Via dell'Abbondanza with their statues at the base. In addition to the Great Theater, a smaller but beautifully decorated theater called the Odeion was built around 79 BC.