The Theatre One of the first finds at Herculaneum was its theatre, first discovered in 1709 whilst digging a well. The theatre, resting on a double tier of arches and pillars, could hold about 2,500 patrons. This is only about half the size of the theatre in neighbouring Pompeii, but considering the population of Herculaneum was not much more than 5,000, its capacity was more than adequate. The plan and elevation show that it was of a standard layout, complying very much with the definitions specified by Vitruvius in his Ten Books on Architecture (Book V, chapter VI, 'Plan of the Theatre'). The building was richly decorated, its stage faced with yellow, red, purple and black marbles. A distinctive feature was the series of bronze statuary of the imperial family and civic leaders lined up along its topmost edge. The building survived the eruption remarkably well. Because of its structural strength, it must have resisted the onslaught of rock and ash until the volcanic flow spilt over the top of the semi-circular drum and poured in, eventually filling it up completely. The theatre as seen today, unfortunately, has been stripped of all decoration. Since it remains buried, it can only be reached through a section of the old tunnels, entered on Corso Ercolano. Two staircases, at either end of the lower portico, lead to a corrridor whose walls are covered by graffiti left by visiting patrons. .. There is little else to be seen of the once magnificent decoration, save the remains of the scaenae frons, now devoid of any ornamentation. .. As to the treasures found in the theatre, anything that was moveable and could be hauled up the well, was carried off, in the first instance, by its original discoverer, Prince d'Elboeuf of Austria. Not to be outdone, his successor, Rocque Joaquín de Alcubierre, was even more tenacious, enlarging the original shaft and stripping the place bare. .. The photograph on the left is of a statue of the sister of M. Nonius Balbus, the town's major benefactor, which was found in the Theatre. It can be seen at the National Archeological Museum of Naples. .. For a virtual tour of the theatre (and the rest of Herculaneum too) you should visit the Herculaneum Conservation Project website (please note that you will need Quicktime to view the tour).

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