Researchers in Rome have discovered the ruins of an ancient theater from the time of the notorious Emperor Nero. During construction work for the garden of a future hotel, the scientists came across the remains of the legendary venue. The theater had been repeatedly mentioned in ancient writings, but until now it was disputed whether it had ever been built – it was thought to be lost.
The discussions about the existence of the theater are now probably over. Since 2020, researchers have been digging around the walled garden of the Palazzo della Rovere, a frescoed Renaissance building awaiting renovation. The palazzo extends over a row of houses along the wide street Via della Conciliazione, which leads to St. Peter’s Square. The property is home to an ancient Vatican order of knights who rent the premises to a hotel to raise money for “Christians in the Holy Land”.
The Governor General of the “Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem”, Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, announced the discovery at a press conference. The planned hotel is reportedly set to open in time for the Vatican Jubilee in 2025, according to news reports, when an estimated 30 million visitors and pilgrims will visit Rome.
Officials described the finds as “extraordinary” as they offer a rare glimpse into a period of Roman history from the Roman Empire to the 15th century. Discoveries include 10th-century colored glass beakers and pieces of pottery, which are unusual because so little is known about this period in Rome.
Marzia Di Mento, the site’s lead archaeologist, said that only seven chalices from this period have been found so far, and that excavations at the site have unearthed seven more.
The researchers also found marble columns and plaster decorated with gold leaf, from which they concluded that the Nero Theater mentioned in texts by Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman writer and philosopher, was in fact located at this location near the Tiber River.
Officials said the movable antiquities would be moved to a museum, while the ruins of the theater would be re-covered even after all investigations were completed.
The theater is named after Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, who reigned as Roman Emperor from AD 54 until his death in AD 68. Nero is still considered one of the most notorious Roman rulers of antiquity. He is said to have lived lavishly, waged tyranny, and killed his own mother and two wives.
The most well-known legend related to Nero is that of the great fire in Rome. The fire is said to have started on the night of July 18-19, AD 64. According to legend, Nero himself set the fire so that a new palace could be built. While strong winds drove the fire through the narrow streets of Rome and a large part of the city burned, Nero is said to have stood on the balcony of his palace overlooking the sea of flames and sang about the fall of Troy. However, this legend is still controversial among researchers. Also whether Nero was actually the arsonist himself.
Sources: AP, Free University of Berlin
