ANTIQUE ENTERTAINMENT

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 post 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 pe...

It is hard to enter the theater of Casinum; or actually, it is only open during performances. Although it is almost in the backyard of the archeological site - containing the museum, amphitheater and a beautiful part of the Via Latina - the theater belongs to the municipality of Cassino, without actively promoting visits. Trespassing, climbing over a fence and quickly making snapshots is the only way to get a glimps; look at the results ! It is also hard to find the museum, like most of the archeological sites in Italy, because of a lack of signposts. In addition, Monte Cassino is the main attraction in the region and the theater and wonderful amphitheater (see my other blogentry) seems to be regarded as old trash. To get an idea of the once lively stage, I copied a letter of Plinius the younger, who visited the theater and wrote to his friend Geminius about the remarkable benefactress Ummidia Quadratilla and her 'set of pantomimes'. From: Plinius Minor, Book VII, Lette...

Very close to Napels, Sapino or in Latin Saepinum, is one of the best-preserved examples in Italy of a small rural Roman town. We are now in Molise, a mountainous and largly unspoiled area of Italy. The site of Saepinum, itself, is at the crossroad of two important and truly ancient trails: the north-south trail along the Tamaro Valley was used long before the presence of the Romans at the path of the transumanze, the seasonal migration of shepherds and livestock into Puglia and Campania. That trail was crossed by the east-west path leading through the mountains of the Adriatic. Saepinum is virtually on top of a Samnite town, which the Romans conquered in 293 BC. The theater was part of the city wall and it was possible to enter the theater from outside the city through a narrow entrance. The cavea has a diameter of 61,5 meter and the orchestra measures 22,9 meter. It gave room for 3,000 spectators. Perry made a great video walking through the ambulacrum of the theater: watch ...

The amphitheater of Lucera is one of the oldest in Italy. Newly renovated, it looks like a stadium of Mussolini, a little bit like the Foro Italico in Rome. Nevertheless, despite the nervous behaviour of a hysterical attendant, we enjoyed walking around the arena and imagined to be guest during the once lively activities. The amphitheater is extraordinary large (its outer dimensions are 126.8 meter long by 94.5 meter wide), and could accomodate 16.000 up to 18.000 spectators. It was built between 14 and 2 BC. As told by the inscription on the entrance gate, it was built on a private land and paid by Marco Vecilio Campo, a magistratus, in honor of Emperor Augustus and the local community. Overall, the amphitheater has a rather simple architectural and decorative structure: over the main portal we find a shield and a spear in bas-relief, that remind of the gladiatorial shows hosted in the arena, or maybe the military rank of Vecilio Campo. More of my pictures of Lucera, you c...