Discovering Cartagena

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The Face Of The Roman Theatre 

Cartagena’s Roman theatre, now undergoing a multi-million euro restoration, was dedicated to Gaius and Lucius, grandsons of the emperor Augustus. 

An article elsewhere on this site, Lost Roman Theatre Rises Again, explains: 

The date of the construction of the theatre can be established with a high degree of certainty.  Two young princes in the time of the Emperor Augustus, Gaius and Lucius, were patrons and probably helped to pay for construction. They are mentioned on the lintels that once lined the access passages to the theatre.  They were step nephews of Augustus and he planned great things for them.  Gaius was introduced into public life in 7BC and his brother Lucius in 2BC, which was the year that Augustus, the former Gaius Octavius who defeated Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31BC, received his ultimate title “father of the country.”   Lucius died in 2AD and Gaius in 4AD, spoiling the plans of Augustus. Lucius was being groomed for power in the west and Gaius in the east. However, in the theatre, the areas were reversed, according to local reference material, with the name of Lucius being found above the eastern entrance and Gaius in the west. 

A head of Gaius can be seen in the British Museum. 

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