Tergeste (modern Trieste, Italy)

Flavian period between 97-102 CE

Cavea Width: 64 meters
Orchestra Width: 24 meters

The Roman theatre of Tergeste, located in modern Trieste, Italy (ancient Tergeste), is a conventional Roman theatre with a cavea diameter of 64.40 meters; the seating consists of an ima cavea with 12 rows divided into 4 cunei, a central pulvinar occupying three rows, and a summa cavea with approximately 9 rows in 4 cunei; the cavea faces north-north-west; the estimated seating capacity ranges from 2,250 to 2,800 spectators; the orchestra measures 20.34 meters in diameter; construction occurred during the Flavian period between 97-102 CE; the theatre currently ranks among the best-preserved Roman theatres in northern Italy, with the outer cavea wall intact to its original height of approximately 15 meters, lower courses of the scaenae frons substantially preserved, and significant portions of the postscaenium surviving, making it an exceptional example of provincial Roman theatre architecture.

Tergeste Theatre (modern Trieste, Italy)

City History

Tergeste emerged as a significant Roman settlement following its conquest in 177 BCE, when it was incorporated into the province of Histria (Verzár-Bass, “Teatri Italia sett.” 433). The city’s strategic position on the Adriatic coast made it an important commercial and military hub connecting Italy with the Danubian provinces. Under Augustus, Tergeste underwent substantial urban development as part of the broader Romanization of the region, gaining municipal status and experiencing extensive architectural improvements that reflected its growing importance within the imperial system.

Theatre History

The construction of Tergeste’s theatre occurred during the Flavian period, likely between 97-102 CE, as evidenced by inscriptional and architectural analysis (Sear 180). The building represented a significant investment in civic infrastructure, demonstrating the community’s prosperity and cultural aspirations. The theatre remained in active use through the third century CE, serving both as an entertainment venue and a space for civic gatherings, before gradually falling into disuse during the late imperial period.

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

• Modern city: Trieste, Italy
• Orientation: Facing north-northwest

Cavea (seating area)

• Diameter: 64.40 meters
• Estimated capacity: 2,250-2,800 spectators (Sear 180)
• Seating divisions:
  • Ima cavea (lower seating): 12 rows divided into 4 cunei (wedge-shaped sections)
  • Central pulvinar (imperial box) with basement altar at bottom, occupying three rows
  • Summa cavea (upper seating): approximately 9 rows or praecinctio (walkway) and 8 rows in 4 cunei
  • Porticus (colonnade) at top with large central niche, possibly indicating a sacellum (shrine)
• Construction materials: Alternating courses of sandstone blocks and brick
• Substructures: Built against natural slope with barrel-vaulted crypta (underground gallery) and porticus above; crypta accessible through three openings in outer wall and from aditus maximi (main entrances)

Orchestra (performance space)

• Diameter: 20.34 meters
• Shape: Semicircular, surrounded by paved passageway (diameter at passage: 17.82 meters)
• Materials: Stone paving with passages

Pulpitum (stage)

• Length: 33.25 meters
• Width: 6.12 meters (6.92 meters including proscaenium wall)
• Construction: Stone foundation with provision for wooden stage floor

Scaenae Frons (decorative scene house front)

• Architectural design: Two-story columnatio (column screen) with Corinthian order
• Doorways: Three doors – regia (central royal door) in semicircular niche, hospitalia (side doors) in deep rectangular niches
• Decorative elements: Rich polychrome marble decoration and painted plaster on scaenae frons wall (width: 3.50 meters)
• Special features: Twelve aulaeum (stage curtain) mast holes arranged diagonally in two rows

Access and Circulation

• Aditus maximi: Main side entrances tapering toward orchestra
• Vomitoria: Two passages from crypta providing access to upper seating areas
• Vela (awning): Corbelled slots in outer porticus wall for awning mast support
• Staircases: Access to upper levels through staircases at each end of postscaenium

Current Status

The theatre of Tergeste ranks among the best-preserved Roman theatres in northern Italy. The outer cavea wall remains intact to its original height of approximately 15 meters, providing exceptional insight into Roman construction techniques (Stucchi 149). The lower courses of the scaenae frons and substantial portions of the postscaenium survive, along with two cruciform apsed rooms and the porticus post scaenam.

Recent conservation initiatives have focused on structural stabilization and protection of exposed masonry. The site benefits from its urban location, which has provided some protection from environmental damage while creating challenges for comprehensive excavation. 

Renovations:

Initial Construction (97-102 CE): The original Flavian construction established the basic architectural framework, including the cavea, orchestra, and primary scaenae frons (Fuchs 109). This phase utilized high-quality materials and sophisticated engineering techniques appropriate for an important provincial theatre.

Late Flavian Modifications: Archaeological evidence suggests minor modifications during the late Flavian period, possibly including adjustments to the stage machinery and decorative elements. The arrangement of aulaeum mast holes in diagonal rows represents an advanced theatrical technology of this period.

Hadrianic-Antonine Period: Limited evidence suggests maintenance and possible redecoration during the second century CE, consistent with the broader pattern of imperial investment in provincial infrastructure during this period of prosperity (Verzár-Bass, Trieste 95).

Archaeological Research

Early Investigations (1938-1941): Initial archaeological work began under Italian direction during the late 1930s, focusing primarily on clearing the cavea and establishing the basic architectural plan. R. Horn conducted preliminary studies published in 1938, followed by M. Mirabella-Roberti’s investigations that established the theatre’s chronological framework (Horn 629).

Post-War Excavations (1950s-1970s): Systematic excavations resumed in the 1950s under the direction of V. Scrinari, who published comprehensive studies of the architectural remains and inscriptional evidence (Scrinari 76). These campaigns clarified the construction sequence and recovered significant quantities of architectural sculpture and decorative materials.

Modern Research (1980s-present): Recent archaeological work has focused on conservation and detailed architectural analysis. Studies by M. Verzár-Bass and the University of Trieste have employed advanced documentation techniques to understand construction methods and decorative programs. The theatre has undergone extensive conservation work to stabilize the remarkably well-preserved cavea walls, which survive to a height of 15 meters.

Publication History: Major publications include Scrinari’s Tergeste (1951), comprehensive studies in Anti’s ‘Teatri X Reg.’ (1972), and recent analysis by Verzár-Bass in ‘Teatri Italia sett.’ and Trieste (multiple dates). These works have established Tergeste as a crucial example of provincial Roman theatre architecture.

Bibliography / Resources:

Anti, Carlo. “Teatri della Regio X.” Dioniso 10 (1972): 272.

Fuchs, Michel. Untersuchungen zur Ausstattung römischer Theater. Mainz: von Zabern, 1987.

Horn, Rudolf. “Das Theater von Tergeste.” Archäologischer Anzeiger 53 (1938): 629-632.

Mirabella-Roberti, Mario. “Il teatro romano di Trieste.” Bullettino del Museo dell’Impero 9 (1938): 86.

Scrinari, Valnea Santa Maria. Tergeste. Rome: Istituto di Studi Romani, 1951.

Sear, Frank. Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.

Stucchi, Sandro. “Il teatro romano di Trieste.” Rendiconti della Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei 32 (1957): 149-165.

Verzár-Bass, Monika. “I teatri dell’Italia settentrionale.” Théâtre et spectacles dans l’antiquité, edited by Pierre Grimal, Les Belles Lettres, 1981, pp. 433-435.

—. Trieste: Guida archeologica. Trieste: Università degli Studi, 1995.

Wilson, Roger J. A. “Roman Architecture in the Greek World.” Journal of Roman Archaeology Supplementary Series 49 (2002): 68-85.