x5°

POMPEII

The tribunals (3, 3) differed from those in the Large Theatre
in that they were shut off entirely from the seats of the cavea
by a sharply inclined wall, and were entered only from the stage,


by means of narrow stairways; in this way the
exclusive character of the seats was made still
more prominent. Besides the platform itself,
measuring only about 8 by 9 feet, three seats above
each tribunal were set off with it by the same di-
vision wall and were available for the occupants.
The sloping wall between the tribunal and the
cavea on each side ends with a kneeling Atlas

Fis, 6.|. —An Atlas. (Fig- 64); large vases probably stood on the two
brackets supported by these figures. The end

of the parapet on either side is embellished with a lion’s foot of

tufa (Fig. 65). These rather coarse sculptures illustrate the char-

acter of the art that was brought to Pompeii by the
Roman colony. The workmanship is by no means
fine, yet the muscles of the figures are well ren-
dered, and the effect is pleasing.
The pavement of the orchestra (seen in Fig. 62)
consists of small flags of colored marble. An in
scription in bronze letters informs us that it was
laid by the duumvir Marcus Oculatius Verus pro
ludis, that is instead of the games which he would
otherwise have been expected to provide.


Fig. 65.— Orna-
ment at the
ends of the
parapet.

At the ends of the stage, as in the case of the Large Theatre,

there were two broad entrances. The waff at the rear, which

was veneered with marble, had the customary three doors, and
in addition two small doors, one near each end. The long
dressing room behind the stage had likewise two broad entrances
at the ends, besides four at the rear. Apparently the two nar-
row doors near the ends of the wall at the rear of the stage, and
the two doors corresponding with them at the back of the dress-
ing room, were for the use of those who had seats on the tribu-
nals ; they could thus enter and leave their places even when the
large side doors of both stage and dressing room had been shut
—-as undoubtedly happened immediately after the procession
{pompd) had passed across the stage.