Ostia Antica in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Latium, Rome, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)
The Theatre of Ostia
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
1. The Theatre of Ostia Marker
This marker adorning the east face of the Theatre of Ostia was found on the floor of the theatre during excavations that began in the late 19th century. The whiter bits are pieces of the original marker, which featured bronze lettering (now-missing) embedded into a marble slab.
[Text in Latin:]
Imp Caes divi Marci Antonini Pii filivs divi Commodi frater divi Antonini Pii nepos divi Hadriani pronep divi Traiani Parthici abnepos divi Nervae adnepos L. Septimivs Severvs Pivs Pertinax Avg Arabicvs Adiabenicvs pp pontif max tribvnic potest IIII imp VIII cos II et Marcvs Avrelivs Antoninvs Caesar dedicavervnt
[English translation:]
Caesar Imperator, son of the divine Marcus Antoninus the Pious, brother of the divine Commodus, grandson of the divine Antoninus the Pious, great-grandson of the divine Hadrian, great-great grandson of the divine Trajan, conqueror of Parthia, great-great-great grandson of the divine Nerva, Lucius Septimius Severus the Pious, Pertinax Augustus, conqueror of Arabia, conqueror of Adiabene, father of the fatherland, supreme priest, having the tribunician power for the fourth time, imperator for the eighth time, consul for the second time dedicated by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caesar.
Erected 196 CE.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 196 CE.
Location. 41° 45.365′ N,
this page online
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gli Interventi di Restauro e Rifunzionalizzazione del Teatro Romano di Ostia (a few steps from this marker); Piazzale delle Corporazioni / Square of the Corporations (a few steps from this marker); L'Area del Teatro e il Centro Delle Corporazioni Commerciali (within shouting distance of this marker); The Martyrs of Ostia Tiberina (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninfei Ai Lati del Teatro e c.d. Oratorio Cristiano / Nymphaeums and the Christian Oratorio (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
2. The Theatre of Ostia
The marker is not visible, but is located on the right side of this photo, affixed to the grandstand's exterior wall facing toward the square.
More about this marker. The marker was found by archeologists on the floor of the theater, which was excavated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The white bits of marble are pieces of the original sign. According to various sources, bronze lettering was originally inserted into the marble slab, although none of that bronze is visible today.
Regarding The Theatre of Ostia. The theater is on the north side of the Decumanus Maximus, the main road cutting through ancient Ostia. The first theater on the site was built in the first century B.C., and it was replaced by this newer one, which seats 4,000 people, in the late 2nd century. Work began around 175 and the new theater was dedicated along with this marble
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
3. The Theatre of Ostia
The marker is off-camera to the left, affixed to the brick side of the east end of the theater's north-facing wall.
The theater was extensively restored and repurposed during the 20th century, and today it is used again as a location for concerts and performances.
Also see . . . Teatro.
Excerpt: "The masonry of the present theatre has been dated to the late second century AD. In that period the theatre was enlarged, and could hold 4000 people. A large inscription from 196 AD (originally bronze letters inserted in a marble slab; found on the remains of the stage) tells us that this rebuilding was the work of Septimius Severus and Caracalla. Brick stamps however show that the work had been started by Commodus (176-192 AD). Commodus associated himself with Hercules, and on the ceiling of the main entrance corridor a stucco relief of Hercules, crowned by Victoria, can be seen."(Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
4. The Theatre of Ostia Marker
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
5. The Theatre at Ostia
Another sign at Ostia offers this rendering of what the area of the theatre and square may have looked like during ancient Roman times.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
