Ercolano Teatro or Herculaneum Theatre.

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Recently re-opened display in Campania Romana Gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

April 2023. Photographs courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Other photographs of the same statues taken on different dates and by different people, can be seen in the Part 3 of the Theatre.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Looking across “Campania Romana” gallery. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Bronze statues in “Campania Romana” gallery. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre, photo taken between October 2014 and November 2019.

Vault of the tunnel with imprint of face from marble statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus embedded in the passageway.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre, photo taken between October 2014 and November 2019.

Detail of imprint from marble statue embedded in the vault of the passageway.  Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre, April 2023, photo taken in the “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum.

Description card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Drawing of face of M.N. Balbus.

Impression left in the volcanic mud of the portrait of the head of Marcus Nonius Balbus.

From description card in “Campania Romana” gallery of Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre, photo taken between October 2014 and November 2019.

Impression of the face of Marcus Nonius Balbus and marble plaque. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre, photo taken between October 2014 and November 2019.

Impression of the face of M.N. Balbus. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Looking across “Campania Romana” gallery and through Arch towards display from Augusteum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statues in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statue of Agrippina, inv. 5612. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Detail of bronze statue of Agrippina, inv. 5612. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statue of Antonia Minor, inv. 5599. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Detail of bronze statue of Antonia Minor, inv. 5599. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. First bronze stool. Sella curule. Sgabello in bronzo n. 1.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory number 73152. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

An honorific chair was set up in memory of Marcus Nonius Balbus.

A second honorific chair was set up for Appius Claudius Pulcher.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. First bronze stool. Sella curule.

Scheda descrittiva. Sella curule. Sgabello in bronzo n.1.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Second bronze stool. Sella curule. Sgabello in bronzo n. 2.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum, inventory number 73153. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Second bronze stool. Sella curule.

Scheda descrittiva. Sella curule. Sgabello in bronzo.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statues of Tiberius, on left, and Livia, on right.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statue of Tiberius, inv. 5615. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Detail of bronze statue of Tiberius, inv. 5615. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statue of Livia, inv. 5589. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Detail of bronze statue of Livia, inv. 5589. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Bronze statue of Lucius Mammius Maximus.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5591.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Detail of bronze statue of Lucius Mammius Maximus.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 5591.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Above - Bronze statue of Lucius Mammius Maximus, inv. 5591.

Below – Bronze plaque with dedication to Lucius Mammius Maximus, inv.3748.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. Dedication to Lucius Mammius Maximus, probably from the base of the bronze statue inv. 5591.

L(ucio) Mammio Maximo,
Augustáli,
municipes et incolae
aere conlato.

Citizens and resident foreigners funded, by public subscription, a statue in honour of the augustalis Lucius Mammius Maximus.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 3748.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Above - Bronze statue of Marcus Calatorius Quartio, inv. 5597.

Below – Dedication on marble slab, inv. 3730.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Bronze statue of Marcus Calatorius Quartio, inv. 5597.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Above - Bronze statue of Marcus Calatorius Quartio, inv. 5597.

Below – Dedication on marble slab, inv. 3730.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Looking across the display from the theatre, on the left is the way through to the display from the Augusteum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Looking across the display from the rear of the statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, towards the display of the Bronze Horses.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Looking across the display from the rear of the statue of Marcus Nonius Balbus, towards the display of the Bronze Horses.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2023.

Looking across the display, on the right is the Arch leading into the display from the Augusteum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Bronze horses and other bronzes

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Naples Archaeological Museum, April 2023.

Looking through beautiful marble columns and pilasters, part of the “Campania Romana” gallery, towards the display of Bronze Horses.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Naples Archaeological Museum, April 2023.

Detail of marble columns and pilasters, part of the “Campania Romana” gallery.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Naples Archaeological Museum, April 2023.

Looking through beautiful marble columns and pilasters, part of the “Campania Romana” gallery, towards the display of Bronze Horses.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Naples Archaeological Museum, April 2023.

Detail of marble columns and pilasters, part of the “Campania Romana” gallery, looking towards the display of Bronze Horses.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. Found in May 1739. Copy in the Palazzo Reale of the reconstructed horse from a quadriga.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904.

According to the information board in the Palazzo Reale in 2015, the reconstructed horse is in fact a pastiche, a skilful assembly of fragments of four bronze horses which originally drew a carriage driven by an army leader.

The remains of this very important monument – parts of horses, their reins, and the carriage with its ornaments -, which probably graced the western arch granting access to the “Basilica” in Herculaneum, were found at different times from May 1739 onwards.

Unfortunately, they were brought to Naples where for many years they were left in a courtyard in the royal palace at the mercy of the weather, vandalism and thieves. Finally, the decision was taken to smelt part of them to make two large bas-reliefs with busts of the king and queen.  

Only many years later did Camillo Paderno make the proposal to use what remained to put together the so called Mazzocchi horse, named after the erudite author of the inscription on the high plinth the work stood on in the courtyard of the Museo Ercolanese.

Herculaneum Theatre. Found in May 1739 in the excavations at Resina.

1771 etching of the so called Mazzocchi horse, with part of its plinth.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904.

See Antichità di Ercolano: Tomo Sesto: Bronzi 2 – Statue, 1771, pl. LXVI.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Marble slab with Mazzocchi inscription, on display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Mazzocchi horse side view.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 4904. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Mazzocchi horse front view.

On display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum, inv. 4904.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Descriptive card for Mazzocchi horse. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2019. Mazzocchi horse, found in May 1739.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2019. Mazzocchi horse found in May 1739, side view.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2019. Detail of Mazzocchi horse found in May 1739.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Herculaneum Theatre. April 2019. Head of Mazzocchi horse found in May 1739.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

Herculaneum Theatre. 1895. Reconstructed bronze horse from a quadriga.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4904.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Horse’s head belonging to a gilded bronze statue of horse and rider, inv. 115390, from a public space in the city. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Side view of horse’s head belonging to a gilded bronze statue, inv. 115390, from a public space in the city. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Second side of horse’s head belonging to a gilded bronze statue, inv. 115390, from a public space in the city. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. 2009. Bronze horse head.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 115390.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronze exhibits in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Looking across gallery towards arch to gallery with items from Theatre, and through another Arch towards items from Augusteum.

On the left in the glass case are the small bronze chariot attachments. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Looking towards glass case with the small bronze chariot attachments. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

On the left in the glass case are the small bronze chariot attachments, centre are the bronzes statuettes from the parapet of the quadriga .

Exhibits in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Glass case containing small bronze chariot attachments. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Detail of bronze figures in glass case - small bronze chariot attachments. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Detail of bronze figure in glass case - small bronze chariot attachment in the form of a horseman. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Detail of bronze figure in glass case - small bronze chariot attachment. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Detail of bronze figures in glass case - small bronze chariot attachments. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Detail of bronze figures in glass case - small bronze chariot attachments. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre, found 1739. Small bronze chariot attachment in the form of a horseman.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 5497.

Herculaneum Theatre, found 1739 onwards. Small bronze chariot attachments. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Herculaneum Theatre, found 1739 onwards. Small statuettes from the parapet of the quadriga. Now in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes statuettes from the parapet of the quadriga in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Detail of small bronze figure used to decorate the box of the chariot.

Now on display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Detail of small bronze figure dressed in a military style, used to decorate the box of the chariot.

Now on display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Detail of small bronze military style figure used to decorate the box of the chariot.

Now on display in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023. Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum.

Small statuette of a woman wearing a diadem on her head and a veil, inv. 5013, used to decorate the box of the chariot.

The type of statue and the diadem suggest that the woman belonged to the Imperial family, very probably Livia.

Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum. April 2023. Descriptive card. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum Theatre. Found in 1761. Reproduction of bronze statuette of Alexander on horseback.

This was found along with a riderless horse near the theatre.

Herculaneum Theatre. Found in 1761. Bronze statuette of Alexander on horseback.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4996.

Herculaneum Theatre. Found in 1761. Bronze statuette of riderless horse.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 4894.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Bronzes in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Herculaneum, April 2023.

Detail of bronze chariot wheels and parts in “Campania Romana” gallery in Naples Archaeological Museum. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Part 1      Part 2      Part 3      Alcubierre 1739 plan with full key