---
title: Roman Theatre of Timgad
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16832/roman-theatre-of-timgad/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-03-01
---
# Roman Theatre of Timgad
_Authored by Carole Raddato_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16832.jpg)
## Image Caption
The [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/) of Thamugadi (modern-day Timgad in Algeria) was cut into the side of a small hill south of the forum. It was designed to hold up to 4,000 spectators. A dedication dates the building to the reigns of [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Aurelius/) and [Lucius Verus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lucius_Verus/) (161-169 CE). It was completed in 168 CE and was quarried by Justinian's soldiers when they built the nearby fortress in 539 CE.
Timgad lies on the northern slopes of the Aurès Mountains in present-day Algeria. Emperor [Trajan](https://www.worldhistory.org/trajan/) founded the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) as a military colony in 100 CE. With its square enclosure, orthogonal design, and two main roads, the *cardo* and the *decumanus* crossing at right angles through the city, Timgad is model town planning based on a grid system.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Raddato, C. (2022, December 21). Roman Theatre of Timgad. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Roman Theatre of Timgad." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 21, 2022. .
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Roman Theatre of Timgad." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Dec 2022, .
## License & Copyright
[](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52492324224/in/album-72177720303518304/)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52492324224/in/album-72177720303518304/) by [**Carole Raddato**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/52492324224/in/album-72177720303518304/). Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 21 December 2022. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.