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The Roman theater of Rusicade, located in Skikda (Algeria), is one of the largest Roman theaters discovered in Algeria. It is situated against the slope of Djebel Bouyala, west of the ancient city of Rusicade.
Description
The theater occupied an area of about 4,900 square meters before its partial destruction. It had a semi-circular shape with arc-shaped tiers supported by imposing columns. The “cavea,” or seating area, was arranged on the slopes of Bouyala Hill. The best seats were located in the lower part near the stage, called “Limina Cavea,” and were reserved for dignitaries. The middle section, “Media Cavea,” was intended for people of average social rank, while the highest part, “Summa Cavea,” accommodated other social categories.
Unfortunately, part of the theater was destroyed, particularly the “postscaenium” area and the stage wall, which are now occupied by the courtyard of En-Nahda High School. Only the substructures of the seating area remain today. The seating has been “dressed” or replaced with a “modern” material, which has led to a loss of some of the site’s archaeological authenticity.
History
The Rusicade theater likely does not date from a time earlier than the reign of Emperor Hadrian, as evidenced by a bronze medal of Empress Sabina, Hadrian’s wife, found in the ruins. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the theater was embellished or restored several times, notably in 225 by the magistrate Marcus Fabius Fronto.
An inscription on a marble plaque indicates that Plautus’s play “The Menaechmi” was successfully performed in this theater, remaining on the bill for two weeks. A tunnel connecting the theater to the port was also discovered.
With an estimated capacity of between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators, the Rusicade theater was one of the largest in the region. Although partially destroyed, it remains a remarkable testimony to Roman theatrical architecture in Algeria.
The Roman theater of Rusicade, located in Skikda (Algeria), is one of the largest Roman theaters discovered in Algeria. It is situated against the slope of Djebel Bouyala, west of the ancient city of Rusicade.
Description
The theater occupied an area of about 4,900 square meters before its partial destruction. It had a semi-circular shape with arc-shaped tiers supported by imposing columns. The “cavea,” or seating area, was arranged on the slopes of Bouyala Hill. The best seats were located in the lower part near the stage, called “Limina Cavea,” and were reserved for dignitaries. The middle section, “Media Cavea,” was intended for people of average social rank, while the highest part, “Summa Cavea,” accommodated other social categories.
Unfortunately, part of the theater was destroyed, particularly the “postscaenium” area and the stage wall, which are now occupied by the courtyard of En-Nahda High School. Only the substructures of the seating area remain today. The seating has been “dressed” or replaced with a “modern” material, which has led to a loss of some of the site’s archaeological authenticity.
History
The Rusicade theater likely does not date from a time earlier than the reign of Emperor Hadrian, as evidenced by a bronze medal of Empress Sabina, Hadrian’s wife, found in the ruins. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, the theater was embellished or restored several times, notably in 225 by the magistrate Marcus Fabius Fronto.
An inscription on a marble plaque indicates that Plautus’s play “The Menaechmi” was successfully performed in this theater, remaining on the bill for two weeks. A tunnel connecting the theater to the port was also discovered.
With an estimated capacity of between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators, the Rusicade theater was one of the largest in the region. Although partially destroyed, it remains a remarkable testimony to Roman theatrical architecture in Algeria.
