Citharam iam poscit Apollo victor

The badly preserved Roman theatre in Arles at the highest point of the town is completely eclipsed by the much frequented neighbouring amphitheatre. Nevertheless it was possible, thanks to the stylistic classification of its pedestal profiles, capitals, and cornice ashlars made from Luna marble, to prove its completion around 25 B. C. This was confirmed by the marble statues and altars from the orchestra, the stage zone, and the scaenae frons, amongst them a Venus Victrix and a Venus Genetrix, the mythical ancestor of the gens Iulia, as well as a larger-than-life statue of Octavian and an emperor’s statue. Additionally, there is much evidence of the god Apollo, who protected Augustus and facilitated his victory at Actium, as well as his female companions, the Horae. Two Sileni evoke the old Dionysian theatre cult. A marble clipeus virtutis was originally set up on the nearby forum. The outstanding quality of the architectural decoration and equipment, the precious marble types previously unheard-of in Gallia, and the reference to the official propaganda of the time attest to the direct involvement of Augustus and the imperial family with the concept and implementation of the building project.