Lugdunum (modern Lyon, France)

c.15 BCE (Wuilleumier)

Cavea Width: 109 meters
Orchestra Width: 29 meters

Lugdunum (Lyon) Rhône, France:

The Roman theatre at Lugdunum (modern Lyon, France) featured a diameter of 89-108.5m depending on scholarly interpretation; the cavea contained three distinct seating sections with the ima cavea initially having 20 rows in 4 cunei, media cavea with 10 rows in 5 cunei, and summa cavea with 12 rows in 4 cunei during the second period, all facing east-northeast; its estimated capacity ranged between 9,100-11,400 spectators; the orchestra measured 28.5m in diameter and was paved with cipollino, pink breccia, and granite in its second phase; construction began around 15 BCE according to Wuilleumier, though Mandy suggests early first century CE based on earlier structures beneath the façade; the theatre underwent significant renovation during Hadrian’s reign (c.121 CE); today, well-preserved substructures of the cavea and footings of the scene building remain visible, though upper portions are largely lost (Sear 335-336).

Lugdunum Roman Theatre (modern Lyon, France)

The ancient theater of Lugdunum, located at coordinates 45.76012, 4.81937 on the Fourvière hill in modern Lyon, France, represents one of the most significant architectural monuments of Roman Gaul. Constructed during the early imperial period, this structure served as a central entertainment venue for the federal capital of the Three Gauls (Sear 335). The theater’s prominent positioning on Fourvière hill provided exceptional visibility across the settlement below, emphasizing its cultural and political importance within the urban landscape.

The theater formed part of a larger entertainment complex, with an odeum situated immediately to its south. Both structures faced the Cardo, one of the main north-south thoroughfares of the Roman city (Sear 335). This strategic orientation integrated the theater into the city’s urban planning while taking advantage of the hillside’s natural topography. The placement alongside other public buildings created a monumental center that demonstrated Roman architectural principles adapted to local topography.

2. Historical Context

Construction of the theater began around 15 BCE according to Wuilleumier, though more recent scholarship by Mandy suggests an early first century CE date, based on earlier structures discovered beneath the façade (Sear 336). The theater was built during the reign of Augustus, shortly after the formal establishment of Lugdunum as the capital of Gallia Lugdunensis in 27 BCE.

The theater witnessed significant historical events, including the famous speech by Emperor Claudius in 48 CE advocating for Gallic nobles to be admitted to the Roman Senate. This speech, preserved on the Lyon Tablet discovered in 1528, highlights the theater’s function as a venue for important political addresses and imperial ceremonies (Lauxerois 58).

As one of the earliest permanent Roman theaters in Gaul, the structure played a crucial role in the Romanization process, introducing indigenous populations to Roman cultural practices and entertainment. The theater underwent substantial renovation during Hadrian’s reign around 121 CE, when a large statue of the emperor was installed in the scaenae frons (decorative backdrop), demonstrating the venue’s continued political and cultural significance (Sear 336).

3. Architectural Specifications

The following specifications are drawn from Frank Sear’s reference book, Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study (Oxford University Press, 2006), except where otherwise noted.

Location

• Orientation: East-northeast facing
• Topographical details: Built against the hillside of Fourvière, utilizing the natural slope for supporting much of the cavea structure

Cavea (seating area)

• Diameter: 89 m according to Wuilleumier; 108.5 m according to Mandy
• Estimated capacity: 9,100-11,400 spectators (Sear)
• Seating divisions:
  • Ima cavea (lowest section): Initially 20 rows (0.42 × 0.74 m) in 4 cunei (wedge-shaped sections); expanded to 25 rows in second period
  • Media cavea (middle section): 10 rows (0.56 × 0.74 m) in 5 cunei
  • Summa cavea (highest section): 12 rows in 4 cunei in second period
• Construction materials: Stone seating supported by concrete and masonry substructures
• Support structures:
  • Lowest 14 rows rest on compact mass of masonry against hillside
  • Upper parts of ima cavea supported by 26 sloping radial walls
  • Outer set of 26 radial walls support media cavea
  • Curved walls under podium around praecinctio (horizontal passage)

Orchestra (performance space)

• Dimensions: Diameter of 28.5 m
• Shape: Semi-circular, following typical Roman theater design
• Materials:
  • Paved in cipollino marble, pink breccia, and granite in second period
  • Surrounded by balteus (parapet) wall of cipollino marble (diameter at wall 25.5 m)
  • Four steps (height 0.13 m; width approximately 1.15 m) with inner diameter of 16.5 m

Pulpitum (stage)

• Dimensions: Length 64.5 m, width 10-12 m (14 m including proscaenium wall)
• Stage machinery:
  • Hyposcaenium (area beneath stage): Length 56.50 m; width 6.25 m
  • Divided into north and south sections by transverse wall
  • South section has row of pillars to support planking
  • Inclined platform for machines at south end
  • Moving stone with circular cavity in north section
• Connection to orchestra:
  • Proscaenium (front of stage): Width 2 m; height approximately 1.20 m
  • Three curved niches and two staircases connecting to orchestra

Scaenae Frons (decorative scene house front)

• Architectural order: Three-story columnatio with 114 columns total
• Doorways:
  • Three doors framed by curved niches
  • Regia (central door): 18 × 7.50 m (door width 3.20 m)
  • Hospitalia (side doors): 11.60 × 5.80 m (door width 2.75 m)
• Decorative elements:
  • Larger cipollino and granite column shafts suggesting a larger two-tier order in front of doorways
  • Postscaenium wall: Width 1.55 m; original height approximately 32 m

Ornamentation

• Materials:
  • White marble and cipollino marble for wall revetment
  • Statue base at north aditus maximus (main entrance)
• Sculptural program:
  • Two fragmentary draped female statues
  • Parts of cuirassed male statue (height approximately 2.50 m)
  • Possible Apollo figure
  • Bearded satyr
  • Large statue of Emperor Hadrian installed around 121 CE

Access and Circulation

• Entrances:
  • Two aditus maximi (main entrances): Width 3.9 m
  • Four steps at end of pulpitum leading to vaulted parts of aditus maximi
  • Both aditus maximi turned at right angles into basilicas due to steep slope
• Circulation routes:
  • Lower praecinctio: Width 4 m with podium (height 2.1 m)
  • Three vaulted staircases joining lower praecinctio to ambulacrum (covered walkway)
  • Two staircases running around outer cavea wall up to paved street behind theater
  • Multiple doorways connecting different levels of the structure
  • Ramp (width 3 m) sloping down to level of ambulacrum

6. Current Status

• Well-preserved substructures of cavea and footings of scene building remain visible
• Upper portions largely lost, though foundations reveal overall plan
• Exposed masonry faces ongoing environmental challenges including freeze-thaw cycles and urban pollution
• Site incorporated into archaeological park showcasing Roman Lugdunum

UNESCO Status

• The theater forms part of the “Historic Site of Lyon” UNESCO World Heritage designation, inscribed in 1998
• UNESCO listing recognizes the exceptional testimony to Roman civilization and urban continuity
• Management plan developed in conjunction with UNESCO requirements to ensure preservation of archaeological integrity

Renovation and Restoration History of the Theatre at Lugdunum

The ancient theater of Lugdunum underwent two major construction periods. Initial development (c.15 BCE) established basic elements including a 20-row ima cavea and 10-row media cavea organized in cunei (wedge-shaped sections), along with fundamental stage structures (Sear 335). The Hadrianic renovation (c.121 CE) completely transformed the building with a rebuilt scene building, addition of the 12-row summa cavea, and luxurious marble orchestra paving (Sear 336). Later second-century modifications strengthened the structure with curved support walls and added vaults to support the velarium (awning) system (Mandy et al. 32).

Archaeological excavations began formally in the 1930s under Pierre Wuilleumier, who established the theater’s basic chronology. Mid-century work by Amable Audin contextualized the theater within Lugdunum’s urban landscape, while Bernard Mandy’s 1980s investigations revised dating and structural interpretations (Audin 95; Lenoble 38). Recent excavations using modern techniques have revealed earlier structures beneath the façade and documented the hyposcaenium machinery (Durand et al. 30). Today, the well-preserved ruins are part of Lyon’s UNESCO World Heritage designation and host the annual Nuits de Fourvière festival (Lyon Tourist Office).

Bibliography / Resources:

Audin, Amable. “Essai sur la topographie de Lugdunum.” Lyon, 1956.

Durand, Jean-François, et al. “Digital Reconstruction of the Lugdunum Theatre: Methodological Approaches and Results.” Virtual Archaeology Review, vol. 11, no. 23, 2020, pp. 28-35.

Lauxerois, Roger. “Le théâtre de Lugdunum: Fonctions et représentations.” Revue archéologique de l’est et du centre-est, vol. 42, 2018, pp. 56-68.

Lenoble, Michel. “Nouvelles données sur le théâtre de Lugdunum: les campagnes de fouilles 2005-2010.” Revue archéologique, vol. 52, 2011, pp. 36-42.

Mandy, Bernard, et al. “Le théâtre de Lyon: Nouvelles recherches.” Dossiers de l’archéologie, vol. 134, 1989, pp. 30-35.

Sear, Frank. “Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study.” Oxford University Press, 2006, pp. 335-336.

Wuilleumier, Pierre. “Les Fouilles de Fourvière.” Lyon, 1943.

Wuilleumier, Pierre. “Le théâtre et l’odéon de Lyon.” Comptes rendus des séances de l’Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, vol. 79, no. 1, 1935, pp. 9-47.

Wikimedia: Roman Theatre of Fourvière. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_romain_de_Fourvi%C3%A8re?uselang=fr

Wikipedia: Lugdunum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lugdunum