VIII.7.20 Pompeii. Large Theatre.

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For more details of the Large Theatre:

See Mau, A., 1907, translated by Kelsey F. W. Pompeii: Its Life and Art. New York: Macmillan. pages 141-152.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Large Theatre. Bronze letters set into the marble stone seating of the cavea.

These possibly mark the place of his bisellium or double width seat of honour awarded for municipal services in provinces.

The inscription records the career of Marcus Holconius Rufus:

 

M HOLCO - - NIO V F //UFO

II V I D - - QUINQUIENS

ITER QUINQ TRIB MIL A P

FLAMINI AUG PATR COLO D D

 

M(arco) Holconio M(arci) f(ilio) Rufo / IIv(iro) i(ure) d(icundo) quinquiens / iter(um) quinq(uennali) trib(uno) mil(itum) a p(opulo) / flamini Aug(usti) patr(ono) colo(niae) d(ecreto) d(ecurionum)     [CIL X 838].

 

Mau translates this as:

Dedicated in accordance with a decree of the city council to Marcus Holconius Rufus the son of Marcus, five times duumvir with judiciary authority, twice quinquennial duumvir, military tribune by the choice of the people, priest of Augustus and patron of the colony.

See Mau, A., 1907, translated by Kelsey F. W. Pompeii: Its Life and Art. New York: Macmillan. (p.149).

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006.

Inscription to Marcus Holconius Rufus in bronze letters on the marble seating.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006.

Inscription to Marcus Holconius Rufus in bronze letters on the marble seating.

 

8.7.20 Pompeii. September 2011. Large Theatre, looking south-east. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. Large Theatre, looking east.

Photographed 1970-79 by Günther Einhorn, picture courtesy of his son Ralf Einhorn.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. December 2008. Large Theatre, looking east.

Photograph courtesy of Peter Spring.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. 1945. Large Theatre, looking east. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. September 2011. Large Theatre, looking east.

Above the arched entrance would have been the Tribunal. Photo courtesy of Michael Binns.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking east, above the arched entrance would have been the Tribunal.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Tribunal on east side.

This was a rectangular platform, reserved for seats for special guests or honoured visitors.

There was also one on the west side - one on either side of the stage.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006.

Arched entrance for ramp leading to media cavea. Looking east.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006.

Arched entrance for ramp leading to media cavea. Looking west.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking south west across site of stage.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking south west across site of stage.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking south west across site of stage.

According to Cooley:

The Holconii (two brothers, or perhaps less likely father and son) greatly increased the theatre seating capacity.

They added a new upper section of seating supported by vaulted passageways, or a crypt.

They also created two privileged areas of seating, or boxes, over the covered corridors leading into the orchestra from either side of the theatre.

There were multiple inscriptions recording the benevolence of Marcus Holconius Rufus and Marcus Holconius Celer.

These were set up in different parts of the theatre including two identical inscriptions, each well over 6 metres long, in the area of the stage.

 

MM(arci) Holconii Rufus et Celer cryptam tribunalia thea[trum] s(ua) p(ecunia)    [CIL X 833]

MM(arci) Holco[nii] Rufus et Celer [cryp]tam tribunalia theatrum s(ua) p(ecunia)    [CIL X 834]

 

Marcus Holconius Rufus and Marcus Holconius Celer built) at their own expense the crypt, boxes and theatre seating.

 

See Cooley, A. and M.G.L., 2004. Pompeii : A Sourcebook. London : Routledge. p. 67.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Site of stage.

 

VIII.7.20 Pompeii. May 2006. Site of stage.

 

 

 

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