Roman Theatre of Orange, Roman theatre in Orange, France
The Roman Theatre of Orange has a 103-metre-long, 37-metre-high stage wall of light tan stone, pierced by three doorways and topped by a metal-framed roof. Curved tiers of stone seating rise around a sandy semicircular orchestra, and a central niche holds a 3.5-metre statue of Augustus.
The theatre was constructed during the reign of Emperor Augustus in the first century AD as a center of entertainment. It remained in use for several centuries before gradually falling into decline.
The theatre belonged to the colony of Arausio, founded in 40 BC by veterans of Caesar's Second Legion. Mime, pantomime, poetry readings and the farce called attelana filled the day, and admission was free for all. The central Royal Door was reserved for the principal actors, while the three seating tiers separated knights, citizens and the rest of the audience.
The site is arranged in an open layout, making it straightforward to explore the different areas on your own. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the ground is uneven and climbing the ancient stone steps requires some physical effort.
Louis XIV, visiting in the 17th century, called the stage wall "the finest wall in my kingdom". The 103-metre facade still carries its original three levels, and the central niche holds a 3.5-metre statue long read as Augustus but dated by some scholars to the 2nd century AD.
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