The Roman Theater of Guelma is an ancient theater located in Guelma, Algeria. It was built at the beginning of the iiird century, thanks to the funding from a priestess of the imperial cult. Completely destroyed, it was rebuilt at the beginning of the xxth century, which explains its excellent condition.
Today, the theater houses the Roman museum of Guelma.
History
The construction of the theater is due to the generosity of a certain Annia Aelia Restituta, whose two Latin inscriptions remind us that she spent 400,000 sesterces for the pleasure of her fellow citizens. They honored the generous donor by erecting five statues for her. Aelia Restituta is referred to in the inscriptions as flaminica augustorum, that is, a priestess of the two Augusti, who could be either Marcus Aurelius and Verus, or Septimius Severus and Caracalla, dating the theater to the very beginning of the iiird century.
Later serving as a quarry for the construction of the city, the monument was completely dismantled. It was reconstructed between 1902 and 1918.
Architecture
Oriented to the north, the theater occupies a slope that was excavated. The theater was entirely rebuilt during its restoration in the early xxth century. It rests on a foundation compared with the small-stone facing with large stone blocks for the corners. Its total width is 58 meters, with a stage 37 meters wide and 7.15 meters deep. The edge of the stage (pulpitum) is decorated with seven niches, alternately square and semicircular, whose sculptures have disappeared. The stage wall was divided by three semicircular niches. The central niche, surrounded by columns, is pierced by a door, while the side niches are closed, contrary to architectural practice, and are adorned with statues. The cavea had 28 tiers, spread over several levels: nine tiers for the first level, six for the second, third, and fourth levels. The cavea was accessed by two superimposed lateral vomitories. With over 3,600 seats, it includes a facade, a stage, an orchestra, exits, dressing rooms, and outbuildings.
| Roman Theater of Guelma | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Stage wall |  North side, the stage in the background, museum gate |  The columns of the theater |  Stage platform, opening of the lateral vomitories |
The Roman Theater of Guelma is an ancient theater located in Guelma, Algeria. It was built at the beginning of the iiird century, thanks to the funding from a priestess of the imperial cult. Completely destroyed, it was rebuilt at the beginning of the xxth century, which explains its excellent condition.
Today, the theater houses the Roman museum of Guelma.
History
The construction of the theater is due to the generosity of a certain Annia Aelia Restituta, whose two Latin inscriptions remind us that she spent 400,000 sesterces for the pleasure of her fellow citizens. They honored the generous donor by erecting five statues for her. Aelia Restituta is referred to in the inscriptions as flaminica augustorum, that is, a priestess of the two Augusti, who could be either Marcus Aurelius and Verus, or Septimius Severus and Caracalla, dating the theater to the very beginning of the iiird century.
Later serving as a quarry for the construction of the city, the monument was completely dismantled. It was reconstructed between 1902 and 1918.
Architecture
Oriented to the north, the theater occupies a slope that was excavated. The theater was entirely rebuilt during its restoration in the early xxth century. It rests on a foundation compared with the small-stone facing with large stone blocks for the corners. Its total width is 58 meters, with a stage 37 meters wide and 7.15 meters deep. The edge of the stage (pulpitum) is decorated with seven niches, alternately square and semicircular, whose sculptures have disappeared. The stage wall was divided by three semicircular niches. The central niche, surrounded by columns, is pierced by a door, while the side niches are closed, contrary to architectural practice, and are adorned with statues. The cavea had 28 tiers, spread over several levels: nine tiers for the first level, six for the second, third, and fourth levels. The cavea was accessed by two superimposed lateral vomitories. With over 3,600 seats, it includes a facade, a stage, an orchestra, exits, dressing rooms, and outbuildings.
| Roman Theater of Guelma | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage wall | North side, the stage in the background, museum gate | The columns of the theater | Stage platform, opening of the lateral vomitories |
