Pompeii - Entertainment

Herculaneum’s theatre is the most complete, freestanding Roman theatre surviving today. The style can be compared with what we know of the theatre of Marcelleus at Rome, although it is much smaller; Herculaneum would have seated 2000 spectators, where Marcelleus could accommodate 14,000. Inscriptions indicate that Herculaneum’s theatre was built during the Augustan age which is also in common with the theatre of Marcelleus. Herculaneum’s theatre is unexposed and can only be reached by a series of tunnels.

The Large Theatre at Pompeii is in the Greek style, built against a hillside and could seat approximately 4000 spectators. This theatre can be compared in style to the Theatre of Dionysus at Athens. Pompeii’s theatre is an earlier design to that of Herculaneum, dated around the 2nd Century BCE, although archaeological evidence indicates that some modifications had been made in the early 1st Century BCE and extensive refurbishment during the Augustan era.

During the eras of both theatres the different types of performance that would have taken place in them would have been Greek drama, Oscan farce, and mime acts which were popular in the Campanian region. Pantomime would have been part of the entertainment during the Augustan era as it was in this era that this type of performance was prominent in Rome.

It is clear from the inscriptions found in both the theatres at Pompeii and Herculaneum that politics played an important role in the world of the theatre. In the case of Herculaneum we know by inscription the magistrates who commissioned the theatre and also that financial contributions were made by the prominent Roman Senators, Claudius Pulcher and Marcus Nomius Balbus. In Pompeii it is Holconii family who are commemorated for the same reason and Holconius Rufus in particular.

In return all of these people are remembered in perpetuity in the form of statues either placed in or around the theatre or in other parts of the towns. It is also worth noting the statues of the Imperial family which were found at Herculaneum’s theatre which also indicates the connection between the political structure, the people and the forms of entertainment in Roman towns.

The early refurbishment of the theatre at Pompeii during the 1st Century BCE could be associated with the even changing drama performances where alterations to the stage were needed to accommodate new ideas in performance, however I believe that there is a further political connection with the theatre by the be major refurbishment of the seating at Pompeii’s theatre due to Augustan legislation on segregation of seating areas.

Spending money on donating either buildings or improvements to existing buildings or sponsoring gladiatorial games or theatre shows was part of the duties of governing the town. The higher up the ruling elite an individual was the more he seems to have provided for the benefit of the town. The social/political system in place at the time encouraged this phenomenon of giving to the community. It was a means of gaining prestige and also a means of getting votes for office in order to climb further up the political ladder.

Mary Beard implies that the sorts of performance that occurred in the theatres at Pompeii comprised of

• Comedies

• Tragedies

• Satyr plays

• Mime, which was ribald comedy

• Pantomime - a tragedy with dance and music.

There is no hard evidence of what was actually performed but from pictures and mosaics found in the town suggest that these were the sort of performances seen. A portrait in the Temple of Isis and a statue in the Eumanchia building of Cauis Norbarius Flaccus a mime actor have been found. Also the tombstone of Aulus Clodius Flaccuss states that he paid for games at the Apollo featuring pantomimes. Graffiti found in Pompeii refer to pantomime performances so it is a relatively safe conclusion to infer that these were the types of performances seen.

Gambling

The Romans seemed to be enthusiastic gambling. Juvenal the ancient Roman satirist (1st to 2nd Century CE) describes this past time in Satire 1 which you can read at the following site: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/juvenal_satires_01.htm

Also, Carcopino writes in his work Daily Life in Ancient Rome (The Folio Society,2004) about their love of betting on the races and, as you say, playing dice. Your can read about Augustus's gambling as referred to in The Twelve Caesars, (Suetonius) in the section on Augustus - it is number 71 and is quotes taken from Augustus's own personal letters. Have a look at this site: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/suetonius-augustus.asp

However, Caropino also indicates that the people betted on gladiatorial combats, (page 309).

It would seem that there were strict laws with regard to gambling and it was forbidden except at the circus and races. It appears that these laws were lifted during festivals such as the Saturnalia. You can read about this at:http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/1256215

See also this article on Roman Theatre at http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/ClasDram/chapters/131romtheatre.htm