Dimensioning Criteria of Ancient Buildings used for Spectacles: Case Studies from Villa Adriana

none2In the fifth book of De Architectura Vitruvius fronts the topic of theatre’s design underlining the differences between the Latin and the Greek variations. This text is still considered one of the most complete witness for understanding how ancient architects solved the constructive problems concerning buildings for spectacles. Going deep in the interpretation of that ancient treatise it is evident that the geometrical rules applied for theatres’ design were not completely explained: the graphic “algorithm” starts from a “perimetros imi”, a lower semicircle belonging to the cavea from which a set of four equilateral triangles determines the planimetric design (ichnographia) of the scenic building; at the same time nothing is told about the definition of the whole cavea’s area. Recent studies carried out on a marble maquette found at Villa Adriana compared with two treatises from Heron of Alexandria (De Mensuris and Stereometrica) can give some new reading keys for the understanding of dimensioning criteria used for the cavea’s design.openBenedetta Adembri; Filippo FantiniBenedetta Adembri; Filippo Fantin