Atkins, Sarah: Relics of antiquity, exhibited in the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum: with an account of the destruction and recovery of those celebrated cities (London: St. Harris, St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1825)

86

THEATRES.

that were scribbled there, and looking as fresh as
if written yesterday; these were objects sufficiently
curious to interest us, even without the aid of
architecture, of which this building certainly can-
not boast.
Immediately behind the barracks, are two thea-
tres : one is large; but the other is small, and dis-
tinguished by the name of the, covered theatre,
because it was so constructed, that by means of
canvass awnings the spectators were defended
from the sun and rain. Both these edifices
were, in every respect, highly finished; and not
only paved, but also lined, with marble. The
pavement of the area of the covered theatre, or
Odeon, is entire, and the following words are
engraved on it in large brass letters, in a line
parallel with the stage :—
“ M, Oculatius, M. F. Verus iiver pro ludis.”*
A door through the wall leads to the different
galleries, and to the open square in the centre,
which resembles the pit of a modern theatre.
The interior, though stripped of its decorations,
still retains all the characteristic features. On
each side, are the seats appropriated to the use
of the magistrates, lined with white marble;
* Marcus Oculatius, and Marcus F. Verus, overseers of the
public games.