Roman Theater (Zaragoza)

The construction of the Roman theater of Caesaraugusta began in the early 1st century during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. It was completed under the rule of Emperor Claudius by the mid-1st century AD. Covering an area of 7,000 square meters (with a diameter of 106 meters), it ranks as one of the largest theaters in Roman Hispania. The theater could accommodate approximately 6,000 spectators in a city with a population of around 20,000 inhabitants. ==Technical features==

Unlike other theaters that utilized the natural slopes of the land, this building was constructed on flat ground using 'opus caementicium'. It was modeled after the Theatre of Marcellus in Rome, featuring a design of concentric rings with radial walls between them. These walls formed the cavea, or seating tiers, which were then covered with marble slabs, as was the orchestra. The facade was adorned with ashlar blocks in the 'opus quadratum' style, rising to an external height of three stories and twenty-two meters. The theater boasted a unique, independent entrance from the central door of the facade directly to the orchestra. This path ran perpendicular to the stage or scena and served as a central axis for the theater, exclusively for authorities to directly access their reserved seats in the orchestral semicircle. This special entrance can also be seen in theaters in Turin and Minturno. However, it stands out as unique among the theaters of Roman Hispania. This design choice might be attributed to the variety of performances, not just dramatic, that took place within. ==Transformation and rediscovery==

The theater's decline began in the 3rd century when stones were repurposed to fortify the city walls and other constructions. As a result, only the Roman concrete structure remains visible today. Over the years, the theater was buried beneath subsequent constructions. It remained obscured until the 1970s when excavations brought it back into the light. Following its rediscovery, it has been refurbished for public visits and now houses a museum that displays and interprets the archaeological finds uncovered. Visitors can view the remnants of the seating tiers and stage via walkways. These remnants are protected under a large translucent polycarbonate cover. Adjacent to the archaeological remains, a building has been restored to house the Interpretation Center. This center acquaints visitors with the history of the theater, the dramatic genres, and the social and political life of the era. ==Gallery==

File:Ancient Roman theater in Cesaraugusta.jpg|Remains of Caesaraugusta's Ancient Roman theatre, in the modern Zaragossa, in Spain. Constructed with opus caementicium, we can appreciate one of its vomitoria. File:Ancient Roman theatre in Zaragoza Spain.jpg|Ancient Roman theatre in Zaragoza, at night File:Teatro Romano Cesaraugusta 2.jpg|View of the theatre File:Saragozza - Foro romano.jpg|View of the theatre File:Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.JPG|View of the theatre File:Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.jpg|View of the theatre File:Teatro Romano de Zaragoza - P8166349.jpg|View of the theatre File:Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta - Wiki Takes Caesaraugusta 27.jpg|View of the theatre File:Teatro romano de Zaragoza 2.jpg|View of the theatre File:Teatro Romano de Zaragoza 001.jpg|View of the theatre File:Teatro Romano de Zaragoza 002.jpg|View of the theatre File:Teatro Romano de Zaragoza 003.jpg|View of the theatre File:Antiguo teatro romano de Zaragoza, España, Spain.jpg|View of the Roman theatre File:Cartel teatro romano.jpg|Roman Theatre Museum poster of a scenic pit File:Gradas del teatro romano de Zaragoza.JPG|Stands of the Roman theater of Zarazoza File:Teatro romano de Caesaraugusta, panorámica 03.jpg|Panoramic view of the remains of the Roman theater of Caesaraugusta in present-day Zaragoza, Spain File:Gradas del teatro romano.jpg|Stands of the Roman Theater Museum in Zaragoza File:Maqueta del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.jpg|Model of the Roman Theater of Zaragoza (Caesaraugusta) File:Museo de las Termas de Zaragoza.1.jpg|Frame roof structure at the Zaragoza's (Caesaraugusta) Roman Theater Museum File:Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta - Wiki Takes Caesaraugusta 04.jpg|Drainage channel of the orchestra of the Roman Theater of Zaragoza (Caesaraugusta) File:Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.29.jpg|Central ramp for access to the orchestra File:Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.33.jpg File:Museo Teatro Romano Zgz.jpg|Foundation of a staircase for access to the lower stands of the theatre File:Panoramica del teatro romano - panoramica.jpg|Overview of the Roman theater File:Photo Sphere Teatro Romano de Zaragoza.jpg|Spherical image of the Roman Theater of Zaragoza Displayed in the File:Museo del teatro romano - reproducción 2.jpg File:Museo del teatro romano - reproducción.jpg|Hypothetical reconstruction of the interior circulation of the Roman theater of Zaragoza File:Teatro romano de Zaragoza. Cabeza de escultura de una joven del siglo I. Zaragoza, España, Spain.jpg|Roman theater of Zaragoza. Sculpture head of a young girl from the 1st century CE. Zaragoza, in Spain File:Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta.20.jpg|Model of the Roman theater of Zaragoza in the museum ==See also==