Transcript ACH

i) In what Roman settlement was the theatre shown
constructed?
ii) In what part of the Roman empire was this settlement
located?
[ACH]
(i) Leptis Magna (or Lectis Magna)
(ii) North Africa or Libya
Who was emperor of Rome at the time this theatre
was constructed?
[ACH]
Augustus
In ancient times there was a herm figure of a wellknown god at each end of the stage of this theatre.
i) Name ONE of these gods.
ii) Why was this god chosen to be honoured in this part
of the theatre? [ACH]
(i)
Either: Dionysus (Liber Pater or Bacchus)
or: Hercules.
(ii) One of: Dionysus / Hercules was patron deity of the city
or Dionysus was god of theatre.
i) What was the function of the tribunalia?
ii) Where were the tribunalia positioned in this theatre? [ACH]
(i) Boxes or seating for magistrates (or important citizens).
(ii) They were built over the side entrances. One had an inscription saying the theatre
had been commissioned by a wealthy merchant Annabal
i) Describe TWO design features of the seating area or cavea.
ii) Explain TWO ways in which this seating area was
supported. [MER]
i)
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Any TWO of:
semi-circular design
tiers of seats
seating was divided horizontally (into three levels) by two walkways
seating was divided into wedges of steps with pathways that led up and down
the top level had five vaulted passages / vomitoria leading from the outside
shallow steps at the base framed the orchestra providing seats for prominent citizens
a colonnaded walkway ran around the very top of the seating area.
(Other points are possible.)
(ii) Any TWO of: (parenthetical portions are not needed)
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One part (the lowest zone) rested on a natural bank.
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One part (the central zone) was supported by an artificial bank.
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One part (the top level) was constructed on a vaulted substructure.
i) Name ONE of the temples added to this theatre at a later date,
and describe its location.
Explain the propaganda purpose of the temple you chose in (i).
[MER]
(i) Any ONE of:
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the Temple of Ceres Augusta (need to have Augusta) in the centre of the seating
area at the top
•
the Temple to the Deified Emperors behind the stage building.
(ii) Any ONE of:
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The Temple of Ceres Augusta reminded provincials of the prosperity brought by
imperial / Augustus’ rule.
•
The Temple of Ceres Augusta linked the name of the emperor with a Roman god,
therefore associating him with a divinity – any “unpacking” of BOTH Ceres and Augusta
gains credit.
•
The Temple to the Deified Emperors reminded the citizens of the power of the
emperors who ruled Rome and them.
(Other answers possible, but had to reflect the significance of the actual temple chose
in (i).)
What evidence is there to suggest that this theatre was designed and
constructed more in the Roman tradition than in the Greek tradition?
You must make FOUR different points and mention both Greek and
Roman traditions for each point. Give specific examples to illustrate
your answer. [EXC]
Any FOUR of: BOTH Greek and Roman must be mentioned
•
Greek theatres were set into a natural slope; the theatre at Leptis Magna is not. (Level
two of the cavea is built on an artificial slope and level three on a man-made structure) –
accept that the LM theatre is “free-standing”.
•
The Greek theatre was more open / less enclosed, whereas in this theatre the height of
the auditorium was matched by the height of scaenae frons or front of the stage building.
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Greek theatres did not have an elaborate scaenae frons as in this theatre, where the
backdrop to the stage was decorated by a high wall of Corinthian columns.
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Greek theatres had a circular orchestra. This theatre has a semi-circular orchestra.
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The Greeks did not use arches. Here, there was an arched portico at the top level of the
seating area.
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The Greeks did not use niches, whereas this theatre has proscaenium niches for
statues.
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The acting area in the Greek stage was not raised to the same height as the pulpitum in
a Roman theatre.
(Other answers possible.)