Erected B.C. 12, as a compliment to Augustus, by L. Cornelius Balbus
(Suetonius, "Aug." xxix.), being the third permanent theatre erected
in Rome. It held twelve thousand spectators. Pliny (xxxiv. 12) says:
"Cornelius Balbus erected four small pillars of onyx in his theatre as
something marvellous." At No. 23 Via Calderari, _to the right of the
Cenci Palace_, some remains can be seen of the PORTICO of the Theatre
of Balbus, which was two stories high. Built into the house are two
Doric columns of travertine stone, supporting an architrave, which is
interspersed with brickwork repairs, by Septimius Severus, after a
fire. Opposite are three pilasters supporting a vault.
In the lane opposite, the Palace of the Cenci can best be seen; this
part has not been restored. _Passing under the archway_, on our left,
is the gateway spoken of by Shelley.
_The first turning on the right, in the Via Calderari, leads to the
Via Catinari; turn to the left, follow the second street on the right
past the church, then take the first turning on the left._ It will be
noticed that the fronts of the houses and the street are circular;
they are built on the ruins of the circular part of