INFORMATION
The Theater of Marcellus was built by Emperor Augustus in 13 BC. It was the largest theater in ancient Rome.
After Julius Caesar defeated Pompey in the struggle for control over Rome, he wanted to build a theater rivaling the Pompey theater which Caesar's his bitter enemy had built in 55 BC. When Caesar was killed in 44 BC the project had only just started. In 22 BC Augustus, known as the emperor who turned Rome from a city of brick into a city of marble, restarted the project.

HISTORY
The new theater, the largest of the Roman Empire, was finally dedicated in 13 BC and named Theatrum Marcelli in memory of Marcellus, the son of Augustus' sister Octavia. Marcellus was the intended heir of Augustus, but he died at a young age.

The Building
When completed in 11 BC the semi-circular theater was more than 30m / 98ft high. Its seating area, the cavea, had a diameter of 130 meter (426ft). The theater of Marcellus could accommodate more than 14,000 spectators, of which 12,000 were seated.

The Theater during the Middle Ages
In the 12th century the Theater of Marcellus was owned by the Favvi Family who turned the theater into a fortress. In 1368 the building was acquired by the Savelli Family. They transformed the building into a palazzo in the early 16th century.
Due to all the modifications over the centuries, only a part of the exterior of the original theater is now visible.