Auditorium found while digging for subway

22 Oct 2009, 2:19 pm   -   Source: AP
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Roman ruins from the 2nd Century have been uncovered while digging for a new subway line. (AP)

Roman ruins from the 2nd Century have been uncovered while digging for a new subway line. (AP)

The remains of an ancient auditorium have been uncovered by archaeologists in the heart of Rome.

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The remains of an ancient auditorium dating back to the 2nd century AD have been uncovered by archaeologists in the heart of Rome, after being uncovered in preparations for a new subway line.

It is believed to have been built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian as a school to promote the arts and culture.

The site was uncovered as workers dug beneath the modern city in a bid to ease Rome's congested streets . The auditorium was apparently known as the 'Athenaeum' in honour of the city of Athens, which had long been considered the centre of culture in Europe at the time.
 
According to Roberto Egidi, an archaeologist working on the digs, the structure of the building, as well as references in texts, meant is was 'likely' to have been funded by Hadrian.
 
"Hadrian, who was a cultured emperor, wanted to re-establish the tradition of public recitation, conferences and poetry contests, as it used to happen in classic Greece", said Egidi.
 
Archaeologists have been probing the depths of the Eternal City for months to pave the way for some of the 30 stations of the city's planned third subway line.
 
Many of the digs are near famous monuments or on key thoroughfares and several archaeological remains — including Roman taverns and 16th-century palace foundations — have already turned up at Piazza Venezia, where the Athenaeum was uncovered.
 
In a city of 2.8 million inhabitants, only two Subway lines currently run beneath Rome. With 25km of new lines to be built, it is likely more ancient treasures could be uncovered.
 
 
 
 
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