Universes in Universe

For an optimal view of our website, please rotate your tablet horizontally.

North Theater

North Theater / © Foto: Haupt and Binder, Universes in Universe

North Theater of Gerasa

At the time of the extensive restoration of the exceptionally well-preserved North Theater, a team of archaeologists examined the numerous inscriptions. Their findings on the erection, functioning, and expansion of the structure are published in an article by J. Seigne and S. Agusta-Boularot (2005, French), from which most of the information summarized here is taken.

From the construction method, the materials used and the architectural design, the experts conclude that the building was already built in the first half of the 2nd century AD, perhaps around 135/140 AD during a period of great urban restructuring. It was built as a bouleuterion, which means as a meeting place of the boule (council of citizens) and representatives of other administrative units of Gerasa.

At the beginning of the double reign of the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (161 - 169 AD), probably between 161 and 163 AD, a first expansion took place, during which the Corinthian stage building (scaenae frons - see below) was erected, as evidenced by a dedication above its central door on the north facade. This inscription was changed around 165/166 AD, when the bouleuterion was transformed into an odeon, a small theater for recitations, singing and musical performances, where assemblies continued to be held. Subsequently, the seating capacity of the cavea (semicircular audience area) had to be substantially increased for this purpose (more on this below).

© Floor plan, adapted by Universes in Universe from a sign at the site.

Access from the North Decumanus

The imposing entrance is located on the North Decumanus. Directly opposite to it, four Corinthian columns mark the entrance to a 100 m long and 28 m wide Civil Basilica, which has only been partially explored. Right adjacent to it, a huge area extends eastward to the Northern Cardo, which could have been the Agora, a central festival, assembly and market place of a city (more on this and photos). The bouleuterion or Odeon was thus part of a larger civic complex in the northern quarter of Gerasa.

A courtyard of about 28 x 10 m opens in front of the three gates of the Odeon on its north side. A 15 m wide staircase with a total of 14 steps leads up to it from the Decumanus. On the wide landing after the first 7 steps, a high wrought-iron grate with a small double door blocked the access. Consequently, not everyone was allowed to enter the courtyard and the Odeon.

At the edge of the courtyard above the stairs stood a portico with four Corinthian columns 10.50 m high. On its architrave was found an almost complete building inscription with the partially defaced names of Emperor Severus Alexander (ruled 222 - 235 AD) and his mother Julia Mamaea. However, the inscription does not date the portico itself (as long assumed), which was built in the first phase of construction, but its architrave and roof, which were added at a later date.

Cavea - Auditorium

The ima cavea, the lower area of the auditorium for the dignitaries, consisting of 4 cunei (wedge-shaped seating blocks) with 14 rows of seats, is structurally connected to the stage building and was constructed before the building was repurposed as an Odeon (thus before 166 AD). On the left and right sides of the ima cavea, above each of the high side entrances, there was a maenianum (balcony or gallery for spectators).

In the later expansion was added the summa cavea for the general public. It consisted of 8 cunei with at least 8 rows of seats. After the last stage of expansion, the cavea of the Odeon seated about 1600 people.

The ima cavea and the summa cavea are separated by the praecinctio, the horizontal high wall, in which niches with semicircular, shell-shaped ends are inserted. In the praecinctio enter 5 vomitoria (from vomere - to spit out), the upper entrances to the spectator area. Over the entire cavea could be drawn a velum, a solar sail suspended from cables.

Niches in the praecinctio wall. A pillar decorated with reliefs at the lower right corner of the ima cavea.

The well-preserved inscriptions on the benches of the Odeon of Gerasa provide a unique insight into the civic life of an ancient city of that time. Among the seats thus reserved for certain groups of people there are, for example, the place of the Council, the phylai (administrative units) of Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, Poseidon, Asklepios, Aphrodite, Leo, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hera, as well as the seat of the weavers. (Information from Theatrum).

The stage building

The Odeon had a richly decorated stage building with the usual three doors. Its straight scaenae frons (stage front) of soft limestone is divided by high niches with rounded ends and alternating semicircular and rectangular plan. In front of the wall, on a high pedestal, stood the usual Corinthian columns of the columnatio. The scaenae frons was decorated with paintings, mosaics, opus sectile (patterns made of pieces of cut stones and other materials) and marble facings.

The architrave of the lower portico of the scaenae frons was likely carved between 161 and 163 AD with a dedication to the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (161 - 169 AD), who reigned at the same time, designating the building as an odeon (more on this further above).

After the enlargement of the cavea by the upper rows of seats of the summa cavea, the stage building also had to be raised to the same height so that the shading by a velum could be installed.

The Odeon was used for its original purposes until the 5th/6th century. From Umayyad period (661- 750) are the remains of eight kilns, which prove that potters had set up their workshops in the abandoned building before it was destroyed by the earthquake of 749 AD.

The other two theaters of Gerasa in UiU:

South Theater

Birketein

(© Summary by Universes in Universe from information in Seigne, Agusta-Boularot and other sources.)

Location:

North Theater (Odeon)
Jerash Archeological City
Location on map


© Texts and photos are protected by copyright.
Compilation of information, editing, translations, photos: Universes in Universe, unless otherwise indicated


See also in Art Destination Jordan:

Web guide for cultural travellers - a wealth of information and photos.

Contemporary art, archaeology, art history, architecture, cultural heritage.

Supported by
Jordan Tourism Board

Back to Top