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No plebs in the front rows

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The Roman theatre of Ricciacus (now Dalheim in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg) was constructed first in the Flavian era (AD 70-94), and restructered afterwards. It had a capacity of 3000-3500 seats, or roughly double what the national theatre of Luxembourg now has - sic transit gloria mundi. The front rows had back rests, and were reserved for the elite; in Rome itself, these would have been the traditional "14 Rows". The theatre served a ritualistic function, as three altars were found in the orchestra. Ricciacus itself was a Roman vicus built on the Via Agrippa which ran from Massalia (Marseille) past Divodurum Mediomatricorum (Metz, France) to Augusta Treverorum (Trier), where it split to the continue to the legionary forts on the Rhine. The name of the vicus is known because it appears on an ancient map (dated to the 4th century AD), though the carthographer has placed it on the wrong side of the Moselle river, and was recently confirmed by an inscription dedicated to Fortuna by the inhabitants of Ricciacus. The theatre itself is famous as one of the best preserved in the northern provinces.

Yes, I know the modern concrete-and-wood pillars spoil the picture. But they needed a roof, as the ancient stone did not agree with the changing of the seasons and the modern acid rain. Don't worry though: it's only temporary. Though, as the French say, "ce n'est que le provisoire qui dure" ("Only the temporary lasts").

For more information, see the image of the vicus.
Vicus Ricciacus by Syltorian
Image size
3264x2448px 2.57 MB
Make
Apple
Model
iPhone 5
Shutter Speed
1/20 second
Aperture
F/2.4
Focal Length
4 mm
ISO Speed
50
Date Taken
Aug 9, 2014, 5:23:44 PM
© 2014 - 2024 Syltorian
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