THEATRE

The adjoining Odeon (for musical and poetical performances) was built in the same period. It is possible that the activities of Iulius Paternus (inscription 14) are connected with some of this work. The theatre was built using brick and local volcanic stone from Etna and imported granites and marbles from across the Mediterranean. It is similar to other Roman theatres in the western Mediterranean, such as at Sabratha in north Africa and Merida in Spain.

The orchestra of the theatre was remodelled in the fourth or early fifth century AD (in part to enable acquatic performances). This was perhaps when the statue of the Genius of the city was erected in the theatre (inscription 12). We infer that the theatre had ceased to function by the end of the fifth century because there is evidence for animals being kept in the orchestra, and so the statue of the pii fratres (inscription 13) must have been set up before this date.