The building was erected at the southernmost point of the Augustinian IX Region, Campo Marzio, in the place consecrated for performances. This was where the Theatrum et proscenom ad Apollinis, connected to the Tempio di Apollo, was located from 179 BC. Giulio Cesare started building the theatre and expropriated a large section of the area demolishing the buildings already there. Among these there was the Tempio della Pietà and he was strongly criticized.
Augusto continued this project and expropriated further to extend the surface and build a larger building. It was probably already finished in 17 BC when it was used on the occasion of the secular games. It was dedicated to Marcello in 13 or 11 BC , the grandson in the line of succession to the Emperor, who died at Baia in 27 BC. Vespasiano restored the stage section as did Alessandro Severo. It was probably in use in the IV Century and later its structures were modified. As it was situated high above the river at a point where it was easy to wade through, it was changed into a fortress belonging to the Pierleoni and Fabi families.
In 1500, Baldassare Peruzzi erected a building still existing now, for the Savelli family and it was then purchased by the Orsini family two centuries later. The lower section, corresponding to the Roman structures, was purchased by the Comune di Roma in the thirties. It was excavated and restored after the area was properly cleared. The Teatro di Marcello was an impressive construction with a diameter of 130 m. where a Roman type of theatre had been created. This was an entire building with a solid architecture, not limited by any topographical or orographical limitations as in the Greek Theatre.
The semi-circular shaped cavea was built on substructions: half-ringed shaped, radial walls in tufa blocks, network and brickworks forming the framework supporting the white marble flights of steps. The plan shows rounded walls forming three sections: the one on the outside corresponding to the external ambulatory; the second being arches with six different functions to give access to the different levels; the third was for unlit areas many of which were probably used for storing. The supporting areas under the cavea had vaulted ceilings covered with white stuccoes, both rounded and octagonal, enriched with figures.
The exterior was finished off with an uneven façade in Travertine in three rows of which the two lower arched ones are preserved on pillars by Doric and Ionic semi-columns. The upper one has a supporting wall with Corinthian pilasters. The stones of the arch of the two lower floors were decorated with colossal marble masks related to tragedies, comedies and satirical dramas. The unexcavated cavea had a radial division into six zones, horizontally in three, apart from the proedria below. Its capacity was calculated as 15,000 seats, 20,000 if necessary.
Other information may be had from the fragments of the theatre and the marble plan of Roma antica. The orchestra had a semi-circular shape and was accessible through rectilinear orchestra entrances on the side. The stage was not very wide and probably had a rectilinear outlook. It was decorated by columns and statues in white and colored marble. It was flanked by two rooms or parasceniums having a triple nave and ending up behind in a large apse, constructed against any eventual floods of the Tevere river. The theatre was covered by a curtain. It is mentioned in the sources that there were 36 bronze vases to facilitate acoustics.
|
 | | | I Municipio
Rione XI - Sant'Angelo
Regio IX - Circus Flaminius |  |
|
