Objective This study examines the cultural and political processes leading to the institution and resolution of the (unwritten) ban on the permanent theater, effective in Rome, from 154 BCE until the construction of Pompey’s Theater-Portico Complex (61-55 BCE). Previously approached from the viewpoint provided through textual evidence, the crisis of the permanent theater has been interpreted as a power struggle between masses and the Roman elite. Building on my dissertation research, this work takes a new perspective. By situating the issue in an interdisciplinary Hellenistic context, my project presents the crisis of permanent theater as an inter-elite problem, a struggle between the Roman Senate and powerful political actors like Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (“the Great”). To demonstrate this point, using historical and archaeological evidence, I analyze spatial development of Roman theater buildings in South Italy and Sicily parallel to the urban development in Rome in the period between the introduction of the Greek theater to Rome in 240 BCE and the construction of Pompey’s Theater-Portico Complex. I focus on the monuments alongside the triumphal path leading to Pompey’s monument. The exploration of theater and urban space is carried out together with narrative analysis of theatrical performances, processions and sacrifice, which occasionally take place in the context of a civic festival or triumphal celebration. An accompanying reconstruction of the theatrical events and triumphal procession in Rome concluding at Pompey’s Theater-Portico complex illuminates how Roman theater building and urban space worked politically before and during the First Triumvirate. The three dimensional images produced by the research team illustrate theatrical moments increasing the popular appeal of published results. This study establishes cultural connections between the Hellenistic East and the Republican Rome contributing to European history and recent debates on globalization. Fields of science humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistoryhumanitiesartsperforming artsdramaturgysocial sciencessociologyglobalization Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator KADIR HAS UNIVERSITESI EU contribution € 33 333,33 Address KADIR HAS AVENUE 34230 Istanbul Türkiye See on map Region İstanbul İstanbul İstanbul Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Didem Turkoz (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ALTINBAS UNIVERSITESI Participation ended Türkiye EU contribution € 66 666,67 Address MAHMUTBEY DILMENLER CAD 26 BAGCILAR 34217 Istanbul See on map Region İstanbul İstanbul İstanbul Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Çağrı Erhan (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data