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The scaenae frons () is the elaborately decorated permanent architectural background of a Roman theatre stage. The form may have been intended to resemble the facades of imperial palaces. It could support a permanent roof or . The Roman scaenae frons was also used both as the backdrop to the stage and behind as the actors' dressing room. Largely through reconstruction or restoration, there are a number of well-preserved examples.

This form was influenced by Greek theatre, which had an equivalent but simpler skene building (meaning "tent", showing the original nature of it). This led to the stage or space before the skene being called the . In the period the skene became more elaborate, perhaps with columns, but also used to support painted scenery.Boardman, 1676-168

The Roman scaenae frons was also used both as the backdrop to the stage and behind as the actors' dressing room. It no longer supported painted sets in the Greek manner but relied for effect on elaborate permanent architectural decoration. This achieved a Baroque effect also seen in large and library facades, often with an undulating facade, pushing forward and then retreating.Henig, 57; Boardman, 167-168 All the significant examples date from the Imperial period; the Theatre of Pompey in Rome, completed in 55 BC, was the first stone theatre and probably launched the style.


Description
Normally there are three entrances to the stage (Palmyra has five) including a grand central entrance, known as the porta regia or "royal door". The form may have been intended to resemble the facades of imperial palaces.Boardman, 262-263 The scaenae frons is often two and sometimes three stories in height and was central to the theatre's visual impact for this was what was seen by a Roman audience at all times. Tiers or balconies were supported by an exuberant display of columns, normally in the , often originally including many statues in niches.Henig, 57; Wheeler, 116 A was stretched on the scaenae frons.

In smaller theatres it could support a permanent roof, enclosing the whole theatre, and in larger ones awnings over the whole or parts of the theatre, perhaps secured to masts rising above it, for which there is some evidence.Wheeler, 116; Boardman, 262

An inscription in the above the lowest columns often recorded the emperor and others who had helped to fund the construction. A feature often found in the Western Empire, but less so in the Greek-speaking areas, was the row of curved recesses in the face of the front of the stage, as at and .Henig, 57-58


Renaissance
The roofed Renaissance ("Olympic Theatre") in , northern Italy (1580–1585, designed by ) includes a fully decorated scaenae frons and gives a good general impression of what the Roman ones would have looked like in their original state, though it is in over a wood framework. The theatre is also famous for the trompe-l'œil scenery, designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, behind the scaenae frons, which gives the appearance of long streets receding to a distant horizon; it is not clear how much this reflects ancient practice. This was intended to be temporary in 1585, but remains in excellent condition.


Surviving examples
Some well-preserved examples (mostly including some restoration or reconstruction) include:
+ List
Restored before WW2, now "the most illuminating preserved example of the scaenae frons".Boardman, 262
Mérida Theatre of Emerita Augusta
Roman Theatre at Palmyra]]
Gerasa (1 of 2)
Gerasa (2 of 2)
Philippopolis Plovdiv Roman theatre
Bostra Roman Theatre at Bosra, see also photo above
Khoms
, Overall probably the best preserved Roman theatre, but the scaenae frons has lost its decoration, including many statues.
, In antiquity the impressive scanae frons had columnades running on three levels and the lateral towers. The first storey was restored in 2010-2012 by Italian architects.
AurasioOrange The Roman theatre of Orange is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with other Roman buildings of the city. Stripped of its decoration.
Volaterrae


See also


Notes
  • Henig, Martin (ed), A Handbook of Roman Art, Phaidon, 1983,
  • , Roman Art and Architecture, 1964, Thames and Hudson (World of Art),
  • Boardman, John ed., The Oxford History of Classical Art, 1993, OUP,


External links

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