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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The ancient theatre of Arles was built at the end of the first century BC, during the reign of Augustus, shortly after the foundation of the Roman colony. It began about 40/30 B.C. and was completed around 12 B.C., becoming one of the first stone theatres in the Roman world. Its construction on the decumanus showed the importance given to Arles by Augustus, with a rich decoration dedicated to Apollo, a divinity honored by the emperor.

The theatre consisted of three parts: the cellara (semi-circular grades for 10,000 spectators), the wooden scene housing the actors, and a wall decorated with Corinthian columns. The spectators were divided according to their social status, with free shows at religious festivals. The monument was used for tragedies, comedy and pantomime, sometimes reserved for men, reflecting Roman customs.

After five centuries of use, the theatre was abandoned in the fifth century under pressure from the Church, which drew materials from it to build the Basilica of St Stephen. In the Middle Ages, a defence tower (Rotland Tower) was integrated, and the site was gradually urbanized with houses and convents, such as the Jesuits. The excavations, initiated in the 17th century, revealed major remains, including the Venus d'Arles (now at the Louvre).

Ranked a historic monument in 1840, the theatre was opened between 1828 and 1860. Today, he visits and hosts cultural festivals (South, Encounters of Photography). There remains only one span of the cellara, the two emblematic columns ("the two widows"), and traces of the altar dedicated to Apollo, symbol of the link between Arles and the Roman Empire.

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