Arrived very late, after sunset, (and only gained access
after much persuasive discussion between Aldo and the site
wardens).
Minturno
Minturnae
Regio I, Latium et Campania
F. Di Mario
Roman theatre. Urban, close to the forum.
Facing south-west.
It was probably built during the period of Caesar of
Augustus. It underwent several restorations and
reconstructions, the latest of which is thought to date
to the 4th century A.D.
The cavea rests on substructures consisting of an inner
zone with radial rooms and a two-nave ambulatory, and
an outer zone with barrel vaults forming a facade with
two orders. In the orchestra there is a large step
for the proedria. The cave is divided into two maeniana.
On some steps a number was found engraved indicating the
sequence of seats.
The scaenae frons is rectilinear and decorated
with statues, some of which have been recovered.
It is flanked yb two rooms, and to the rear there are
a number of utility rooms. There is a porticus
post scaenam, which is formed by the northern arm
of the three arcades of the so-called Republican Forum.
The walls are built in opus reticolatum, in various
materials that give the facing a two-tone effect.
The walls built in opus latericium belong to the
first phase of restoration. The walls built in opus
vittatum, with one layer of tufa blocks alternating
with two layers of bricks, belong to the second restoration.
State of preservation:
Many of the lower outer arches are preserved. The
scaena's supporting structures are preserved.
Measurements:
diameter of the cavea: approx. 78 m.
Orriginal capacity:
4,600 seats.
Current utilisation of the theatre:
it is used for theatrical performances.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CIL F2687: AE 1934.253.
S. AURIGEMMA. A. DE SANTIS, Gaeta Formia Minturno,
Roma 1955.
G. FORNI 1970, s.v. Teatro.
G.M. DE ROSSI, Lazio meridionale, Roma 1980, p.161.
F. COARELLI, Lazio, Bari 1984, p.376.
M. FUCHS 1987, pp.35-40.
M.P. GUIDOBALDI Il teatro, in Minturnae.
Roma 1989, pp.63-64.
C.COURTOIS 1989, pp.118-120; 216.
