Theatre of Marcellus

The Theatre of Marcellus was an ancient Roman arena built by the Emperor Augustus.

TravelCurious Tip

If you're here in the summer try to catch one of the Tempietto Concerts, in which top classical musicians play for an Italian and international public.

Caesar vs Pompey

The Theatre of Marcellus was an ancient Roman arena used for games, dramas, and religious festivities during the Empire. The idea for the theatre was conceived by Julius Caesar, who cleared the space where it still stands today with the intention of rivalling the Theatre of Pompey, his political rival (the Colosseum had not yet been built).

Unfortunately for him, Caesar was assassinated before construction began. His nephew and adopted son and heir Octavian, who became Emperor Augustus, took over the project and by 17 BC it was in use for ludi – religious festivals with sacrifices and games – although it was not fully completed until 13 BC.

Marcellus memorial

The theatre takes its name from Marcellus, the nephew of Augustus by his favourite sister Octavia, and Augustus’s chosen heir to the Empire. Marcellus died at the age of 19 in 23 BC. The semicircular theatre, with its 41 double-tiered arches and Greek columns, could hold approximately 14,000 spectators. It was the largest in Rome before the Colosseum. The spectators would have been in a semi-circular seating area, while the gladiators or actors would be on the stage which was on the bank of the Tiber.

Today you can still see about one third of the seating area of the Theatre on the Via del Teatro di Marcello, right behind the Jewish Ghetto and the Portico of Octavia. The bottom two levels of the Theatre are still intact, while there are 16th century apartments built on top: a fascinating image of Rome's layered history.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Rome
Roman Forum
The political, religious and civic heart of ancient Rome.
Temple of Caesar
Remains of the temple of Julius Caesar.
Piazza Venezia
Is one of the main squares in Rome and takes its name from the Palazzo Venezia, built by the Venetian Cardinal, Pietro Barbo alongside the church of Saint Mark.
Jewish Ghetto
For over 300 years all the Jews in Rome were restricted to this small area; today it is a vibrant and fascinating district.
Capitoline Hill
The ceremonial centre of ancient Rome, rejuvenated by Michelangelo in the Renaissance and offering amazing views over the Forum.
Largo di Torre Argentina
The site of Pompey - where Julius Caesar was assassinated by the Senate - is now equally known locally as a shelter for stray cats, who are often as photographed as the ruins themselves.

Related Tours

The Life of Julius Caesar: Rome Private Half-Day Walking Tour

Explore the Rome of Julius Caesar, born to an impoverished aristocratic family in the ‘suburban’ with zero political ambitions, Julius Caesar was not expected to become a consul of Rome let alone its sole dictator in perpetuity, and one of the most famous and influential men in history.

On your private tour, you will:

  • Begin at the mighty Circus Maximus, where Caesar will have come to watch the races, famous for being the largest stadium for chariot racing in the world, with marble seating for over 250,000 spectators. Learn all about this popular, and highly dangerous sport;
  • Admire the stunning views of the ancient palaces of the Palatine cascading down the hill;
  • Hear all about the importance of public games for the smooth running of society: ‘Give them bread and circuses!
  • Learn all about the early life of Julius Caesar and his unlikely, stratospheric political and military rise to power;
  • Wander down the hill towards the River Tiber and look over the bridge to Trastevere where Julius Caesar had a villa and where he housed Cleopatra;
  • Discover Teatro Marcellus, an ancient open-air theatre used for artistic performances; 
  • See the ruins of the ancient fish market and the Portico d’Ottavia: the building of which was begun by Julius, and completed by his adopted son Octavian - better known as Caesar Augustus, who dedicated it to his sister, Octavia;
  • Head towards the centre of governance in Ancient Rome, the Capitoline Hill; 
  • Be wowed by the spectacular view overlooking the ruins of the Roman Forum, the cradle of the gods and of ancient civilization, and at the far end, the Colosseum;
  • See the buildings that were begun by Caesar including the temple to Venus, the Curia, and his spy's humble resting place in the centre of the Forum;
  • Across the Fori Imperiali (built by Mussolini) you’ll see the ruins of Trajan’s Forum and the firewall built to protect the forum and the suburban from fire;
  • Wander through the ruins to see some of the Suburra where Caesar was born and raised, now a trendy neighbourhood called Monti;
  • Walk back through Piazza Venezia, through the picturesque Jewish Ghetto toward the spectacular ruins at Largo Argentina;
  • End your tour here with the dramatic story of Caesar’s assassination, on those very steps! Stabbed 23 times by his enemies so the blame was shared; including his trusted friend, Brutus, is where the mighty Julius Caesar was finally toppled. ‘Beware the ides of March'.


From the slum neighbourhood of his birth to where he met his grisly end, the city, empire and culture of Rome owe much to Julius Caesar. With your private guide, gain an insight into Caesar's dominance as Consul of Rome.

Learn all about his upbringing, private life (he was very much a lady’s man) and his military prowess that led to the Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus – the betrayals and power play, and finally the crossing of the Rubicon.

Julius Caesar was very much the people’s politician. He was loved by the people who considered him ‘one of them’. This popularity may have led to his hubris and downfall. Rome’s motto is SPQR (Senatus et Populusque Romanus) meaning the Senate and the People of Rome.

Julius had the will of the people but arrogantly stopped consulting the senate. This cost him dearly, and on the ides of March 44 BC, he was assassinated, stabbed 23 times on the steps leading to the temporary senate-house, at Largo Argentina.

An astute politician and brilliant military strategist Caesar powered Rome into expansion, decisively defeating enemies and winning the hearts and minds of the common people. Each successful war assured him of the undying loyalty of his soldiers, who followed him into battle after battle. His life and death, are the stories of legends with unions that include a love affair with Cleopatra.

The contributions he made have echoed through history - including the introduction of the Julian Calendar in Rome, setting the year at 365.25 days, divided into 12 months.

Your Tour of Julius Caesar’s Rome will delve into the archaeological roots of the city to follow in his footsteps. Discover Caesar’s place of birth in 100BCE - Suburra, a down-and-out area where the trendy area of Monti now stands, and end your tour where his life ended brutally on the steps of the theatre of Pompey at Largo Argentina. 
x

Guides

Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.

Become a guide

Partners

Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.

Become a partner