The large theater and the odeon

Declaim your speech on the stage of the large theater, and take advantage of the extraordinary quality of sound. In spite of the ruined state of the building, acoustics are still excellent.
The theater and the odeon were monuments dedicated to the entertainment that was an essential part of Roman civilization. The large theater was the setting for plays, which were frequently comedies accompanied by dances; the more intimate odeon was reserved for concerts.
At the foot of the tiers of seats in each building, you can admire the remarkable marble paving that testified to the prestige of these venues.

Locate in the museum

Ouvrir la galerie dans une nouvelle fenêtre — © Lugdunum

When?
First century

Where?
Europe / France / Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / Rhône Department / Lyon / Lyon 5th arrondissement / Antique theaters

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History of the constructions

This theater was one of the oldest in Gaul. It was built late in the first century B.C. and enlarged later so that it could hold up to 10,000 spectators. With a diameter of 108 meters, it was one of the largest in Gaul, along with the theaters of Vienne and Autun.
The odeon is newer. Built late in the first century, this little theater measured 83 meters in diameter and was used for music. It could hold up to 3,000 spectators.
Both of the structures were unearthed and partially restored from 1933 to 1970.

The apogee of the large theater

Imagine what the theater must have looked like in Antiquity.
First of all, it was a lot bigger. The rows of seats were much higher and could hold up to 10,000 spectators, as compared to 4,000 today.
In the beginning, the theater was closed on all sides. Picture a wall that existed behind the stage and rose to over twenty meters in height! Since there was no roof, a canvas awning was rolled out over the seats to protect spectators from the sun. The orchestra, which is the semicircular area in front of the stage, was reserved for the city's most important figures.