Next stop: Mainz Romisches Theater

Last week, I visited Mainz or Mogontiacum in Germany. We took the train from Mainz Hbf to Wiesbaden and got out at railway station 'Mainz Romisches Theater'. It is incredible to learn that the train is almost running throught the scanea frons.

Ever since 1884, when this railway line was built, it has been known that remains of Roman buildings were at this site. But exactly what it was, and how big, was unclear. Only in 1914, when railway works were carried out, it was recognized that the remains belonged to the theater of Mogontiacum. It was the first time, since the 11th century, when the historian Gozwin wrote: "Hoc etiam astruunt adhuc superstites theatri ruinae, quod Romano more ad ludos circenses et theatrica spectacula constructum est", that the building was recordably identified as the theater in modern times. During the First World War however, it was covered by soil and forgotten again. It was rediscovered in 1998 and subject to systematic excavation.

The building measured 166 meters, the width of the semicircle was 116 meters and the stage had a with of 42 meters. About 10,000 people could watch the performances. It makes the theater of Mainz the largest one above the Alpes.



Source: http://nl.worldpoi.info/poi/2848/The theater, build in the first century AD, is one of Mainz' oldest buildings, although, unfortunately, nothing is known about its first building phase. What is certain, is that it was renovated during the reign of Domitian (81-96 AD), who visited the city, and this phase is what we see today. Probably, the theater was not only used for plays, but also for political meetings.

Jan Martin Klessing, the architect responsible for the conceptualization, planning of conservation and execution of the theater of Mainz after 1998 presented some illustrative visuals. Furthermore, the history of Roman Mogontiacum is well documented by the Ancient Warfare Magazine. You can find more information here!

Unfortunately, one of the most impressive collections of Roman tombstones and other monuments found at Mainz (Steindenkmaler) and North of the Alpes, were in depot during our visit. Normally these are at display at the Landesmuseum Mainz. But most disappointing was our visit to the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum and Forschungsinstitut für Archäologie. Almost all the exhibits are copies made during antiquities studies at the Institute.

Nevertheless, more of my pictures of the theater, which were for real, you can find here! Coordinates: ( 49° 59' 35" N, 8° 16' 40" E ); ( 49,9931°, 8,2778° ).

Mask at the Saalburg

The defence-line on the frontier of the Roman province of Raetia, extending from Lorch to the Danube, consisted, in its later form, of a stone wall with built-in-watch-towers, and forts behind. It had no palisade. The first Roman defences at the Saalburg were erected during the course of a war waged by Domitianus against the Chatti, a Germanic tribe in the north of Hessen, in 83-85 AD. Under Hadrian (117-138) a large fort was built, defended by a composite wall of timer and stone. It held the cohors II Raetorum civium Romanorum, consisting of about 500 men.

Currently, the Roman fort at the Saalburg is a beautiful copy of the old Roman site, erected between 1898 and 1907 by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

The reconstruction possesses e.g. walls, gates, ditches, bridge, horreum, roads, praetorium, thermen and very nice museum.

This wonderful mask was found in the courtyard or peristyle of a house belonging to the vicus of Saalburg near Mainz (Germany). It is made out of yellow clay and served as a decoration. At the ears you can see the holes for the string. The hair is decorated by a lunula or 'little moon'. It is probably made in a pottery in Koln and dates 100-120 AD.

The Roman fort and more of my pictures of findings at the Roman vicus and fort at the Saalburg can be seen here! Also compare this mask with the one I have seen in Koln, Tarragona and in Nijmegen.

Polydus, champion charioteer for the reds

Last week, I visited Landesmuseum Trier for the third time, which probably sounds boring but its collection is of great quality. The museum was renovated a few years ago, so a good excuse to visit it again.

In my previous blog post I already wrote that the circus of Colonia Augusta Treverorum dates back to the earliest period of the cities history. The race track may have been created immediately after the city was founded. Quite some interesting finds, referring to the circus are in Landesmuseum Trier on display, including this mosaic of Polydus, a popular charioteer for the red faction (factio russata), and his lead horse Compressor. He is taking a victory lap. My picture is the centerpiece of a mosaic floor from a villa in front of the Imperial Baths in Trier.

The representations on Roman mosaics of the victorious charioteer of the circus may be compared with similar representations in other forms of Roman art, both major and minor. Certain standard types were established and repeated with only slight variations in different media and at widely different times and places. But individual craftsmen or workshops evidently exercised their own choice over the details.

Here we see Polydus driving his quadriga in profile, at a walk and at the same turning his face to the observer. He has a victory palm in his right hand. This image is regarded the most common type, with the horses arranged schematically to left and right. It is first found in the mid-third century, but becomes especially common in the fourth century and later. The significance of the charioteer is as an image of victory, as a bringer of good luck and felicitas. Polydus was a champion of the red faction, wearing a red tunica, but all four factions (so red, but also green, blue and white) were simultaneously shown as victors.

Note that the mosaic is standing vertically against the wall and my picture only shows the centerpiece. It is dated 250 AD.

Fountains on the spina

The circus appears to date back to the earliest period of the history of Trier or Colonia Augusta Treverorum; the race track may have been created immediately after the city was founded. However, the hippodrome, which was about 450 meter long, became truly monumental in the first half of the second century. It was renovated after 293, when Constantius Chlorus moved his residence to Trier. We know that the monument was connected to the aqueduct, and we may assume that there were fountains on the spina.

On this photograph, taken of a model in Landesmuseum Trier last week, you can see that the circus is at the outskirts of city. You can't see that is quite near the amphitheater, which was integrated in the city wall.

The circus vanished completely. Currently the whole area is covered with houses. Heinz Cuppers, writes in 'Die Romer in Rheinland-Pfalz', that the circus was one of  the first buildings to be destroyed by the new inhabitans after the invasion of the Germanic tribes. It was relatvely easy to demolish and to be used as a query. The sandy plain was cultivated soon afterwards.

The Colosseum in Minecraft

My nephew Arne is an addicted video game player. This weekend he showed me the above animation of the Colosseum. Although I am not convinced whether for example the wooden chairs and seatings are authentic, it nevertheless gives an impression of the experience you will have, visiting the building. What lackes however, is the cheering of the crowd. That must have been breathtaking!

Castra Vetera

Last month the third volume of the comic of 'Les Aigles de Rome', or 'Eagles of Rome' by Enrico Marini was published in the Netherlands. Also this volume I read with great enthusiasm. It's about the Cheruscian Arminius and his Roman 'brother' Marcus Valerius Falco, both raised in the same Roman family and both suffering the same harsh Roman education. Arminius and Marcus meet after years of separation in Germania, during the days of Varus, but times changed. I really like the great drawings, the story is rough and full of violence and sex. For someone raised with the Smurfs, a revelation! Watch the trailer about this release.

Around 15 BC the Roman camp Castra Vetera was created on the Fürstenberg near today's locality Birten in Germany. It was intended as a base for campaigns into Germania and until its destruction during the Revolt of the Hatavi in 70 AD, by Arminius, it was occupied by 8,000 to 10,000 legionaries, and the main base of the Classis germanica. 

Marini's artist impression of Castera Vetera above, shows the amphitheater still outside the walls of the castra. After its destruction it was renewed and called Colonia Ulpia Traiana. You can compare the above artist impression with the one in an earlier post. Look here! 

Amphitheater of Casinum

The amphitheater of Casinum, erected by Ummidia Quadratilla (whose passion for actors is mentioned by Pliny, Epist. vii.24, on the occasion of her death, and quoted in my entry about the theater of Casinum), still exists.

She was a wealthy Roman aristocrate and a member of the gens Ummidia. She died in the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117) within a little of eighty years of age, leaving two-thirds (ex besse) of her fortune to her grandson and the other third to her granddaughter. Her grandson Ummidius Quadratus was an intimate friend of Roman Senator and historian Pliny the Younger, who praises her for fostering Quadratus' studies while keeping him untouched by her own luxurious lifestyle.

Quadratilla was probably a sister of Gaius Ummidius Durmius Quadratus, the governor of Syria, who died in 60, and appears to be the same as the Quadratilla mentioned in the following inscription, discovered at Casinum in Lazio: "Ummidia CF Quadratilla amphiheatrum et templum Casinatibus sua pecunia fecit" (Orelli, Inscr. No. 781). It seems that the Ummidii came originally from Casinum.

The construction is built of opus reticulatum and the five entrances are by arches of larger blocks of stone; it is approximately circular in plan. The external walls are 59 feet high. The seats in the interior have disappeared.

Because it is still not really renovated, entering the arena is like going back in time. Most of the ancient buildings outside Rome are not overrun by tourists and feel authentic. During our stay it was extremely hot so we were almost alone,     

More pictures of the amphitheater, theater and other Roman finds of Casinum, can be find here!