Entertainment in the Campus Martius
A guide to the main sights and places to visit
|
Campus Martius
Arts, Entertainment, and Shopping
True to its ancient purpose, the Campus remains one of Rome’s prime locations for entertainment and public leisure. From comedy to tragedy, this is Rome’s main theater district. The art-filled porticoes and lavish gardens are among the loveliest settings in the city for strolls and exercise. Whatever your interests, you are sure to find the best the civilized world has to offer right here.
Racing and Entertainment
The Circus Flaminius regularly stages horse racing and public games. The Emperor Augustus even flooded the arena floor to stage a spectacular crocodile venatio.
Theater Masks
|
Rome’s first permanent theater was built by Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in 698 A.U.C. Located in the central Campus, it is still holding performances of popular plays.
Along the river, the Theatrum Marcelli di Tempo also stages plays and mime shows. Located facing the Tiber Island next to the Pons Fabricius.
Another venue dating from the reign of Augustus, the Theater of Balbus is located between its two predecessors.
Constructed for the performance of poetry and song, the Odeum of Domitian is located west of the Saepta.
The Stadium of Domitian hosts athletic contests in the Greek style. Located west of the Pantheon beside the Odeum.
Shopping
The Forum Holitorium is the city’s great market for vegetables, flowers, and oil. The expanded farmer’s market brings the best of seasonal produce to central Rome. Located at the base of the Capitol.
The Forum Suarium is the best area market for swine and pork products from pig’s face to trotters. Located at the base of the Collis Hortorum.
Baths
The famous Thermae Agrippae was the first of the great baths in Rome. Facilities include a laconicum, three baths, and gymnasium. Free admission.
Just to the northwest, the Thermae Neronianae was the city’s second great bath complex. Includes a frigidarium, caldarium, and tepidarium. Connected to the Gymnasium of Nero.
Porticos
The Campus is now home to many beautiful porticos designed to provide walkways and display space for great works of art. Treasures of Greece, Egypt, and Asia are on view for Romans and visitors to the city. Among the most notable are the:
Souvenir
|
Porticus Pompeiana with its art works and gardens; located next to the theater of Pompey.
Porticus Argonautarum and the Porticus Meleagri surrounding the Saepta; both dedicated to heroic themes of the Greek classics.
Porticus Vipsania decorated with mosaics; set in a park along the Via Flaminia.
Porticus Octavia, built in 168 BC, notable for its bronze Corinthian columns; located just south of the Circus Flaminius.
Porticus Philippi surrounding the Temple of Hercules Musaruma; located beside the Porticus Octavia.
Horti
A number of gardens in the Campus are open to the public for strolls and picnics. Some of the most well-known for their scenic views and exotic plants are located at the northern edge of the Campus and the slopes of the Collis Hortorum, including the Horti Luculliani, Horti Pompeiani, Horti Aciliorum, and the Horti Variani, and the Horti Largiani.
In the central Campus, the laurels of the Campus Agrippa are a pleasant area for strolling. The promenades along the banks of the Euripus offer another good place for walking among gardens and flowerbeds.
The sculptures in the Horti Scipionis offer memories of the historic victories over Carthage in a tranquil, landscaped setting. Located in the prata Flaminia.
Images:
Mosaic of Roman theater masks in the Capitoline Museum, Rome; image from the Vroma Project.
Souvenir image of Jason; details at the Porticus Argonautarum property.
|
Hospitium
|
Posted Feb 15, 2009 - 20:19 , Last Edited: Mar 8, 2010 - 15:59
|
