![Roman Theatre Dougga](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Roman_Theatre_Dougga.jpg)
The Roman theatre of Dougga is an ancient theatre located in
Teboursouk in the
north-west of Tunisia.
History
Like all the other Roman cities of North Africa from the reign of
Augustus
Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pri ...
, Dougga had its own theatre. According to historians, the monument was built between 168 and 169. It is located in the eastern part of the archeological site
Dougga
Dougga or Thugga or TBGG was a Berber, Punic and Roman settlement near present-day Téboursouk in northern Tunisia. The current archaeological site covers . UNESCO qualified Dougga as a World Heritage Site in 1997, believing that it represents " ...
, and can host over 3500 spectators.
The theatre got classified as a monument on 8 June 1891.
It is considered as one of the best preserved examples of theatres in
Roman Africa
Roman Africa may refer to the following areas of Northern Africa which were part of the Imperium Romanum and/or the Western/Byzantine successor empires :
; in the unified Roman empire :
* Africa (Roman province), with the great metropolis Cartha ...
Nowadays, it hosts every year the activities of the
Dougga's international festival.
Architecture
A dedication engraved into the
pediment
Pediments are gables, usually of a triangular shape.
Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the lintel, or entablature, if supported by columns. Pediments can contain an overdoor and are usually topped by hood moulds.
A pedimen ...
of the
stage
Stage or stages may refer to:
Acting
* Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions
* Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage"
* ''The Stage'', a weekly British theatre newspaper
* Sta ...
and on the
portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cult ...
the dominates the city, recalls the building's commissioner, P. Marcius Quadratus, who "built
tfor his homeland with his own
denarii
The denarius (, dēnāriī ) was the standard Roman silver coin from its introduction in the Second Punic War to the reign of Gordian III (AD 238–244), when it was gradually replaced by the antoninianus. It continued to be minted in very ...
"; the dedication was celebrated with "scenic representations, distributions of life, a festival and athletic games".
Gallery
File:Tunisia-Dougga-theatre.jpg, Old photo of the theatre before restoration work
File:Tunisia-2744 - Leaving the Theatre (7845230192).jpg, Current situation
File:Theater of Dougga By night.jpg, A concert in the theatre during the International festival of Dougga
References
*
{{Romano-Berber cities in Roman Africa
Roman theatres
Roman sites in Tunisia
Dougga
Article from DouggaPedia project