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Founded: 1st century ADCategory: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in France
Historical period: Roman Gaul (France)
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The ancient site of Sanxay, located in the Vienne department of France, features remains from the 1st and 2nd centuries and was likely a rural healing sanctuary. Centered around an unusual octagonal temple, a Gallo-Roman theater, and a set of baths, the site spans about 20 hectares. Excavated in the 1880s by Father Camille de La Croix, most of the site was later reburied, with only the main temple, theater, and water sanctuary visible today.
The temple’s octagonal cella and Greek-cross portico suggest a connection to sacred water cults. A spring flows beneath its foundations, and its layout includes a large courtyard surrounded by porticoes. A buried channel links the temple to a nearby basin, likely used for drainage or ritual purposes.
The theater sits on a slope above the Vonne River and could seat up to 6,600 spectators. Its semicircular design blends features of both theaters and amphitheaters. Excavations there disrupted the stratigraphy and many inscription fragments found were later lost.
The water sanctuary evolved over eight stages, beginning as a temple and later converted into a bathing complex. While initially lacking standard Roman bath elements, it eventually featured hot pools built into old temple rooms, indicating a shift toward therapeutic use.
Other excavated buildings suggest a thriving community of pilgrims, including residences and inns. Artifacts recovered include coins, ceramics, jewelry, and statues of Mercury and Venus, many of which are preserved at the Sainte-Croix Museum in Poitiers.
Sanxay developed from the late 1st century BCE, reached its peak in the 2nd century CE, and declined afterward, likely due to Christianity’s rise. Today, the site is open to visitors and maintained by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux.
References:The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.
The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.
Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.