Théâtre de Syracuse (Amphitheatre of Syracuse) 1865

Paul-Marcellin Berthier captured this photograph of the Amphitheatre of Syracuse in the mid-19th century, a period marked by burgeoning European interest in classical antiquity. Berthier’s lens frames the ancient theater, not merely as an architectural marvel, but as a silent witness to history. Originally constructed in the Greek era and modified by the Romans, this amphitheater once hosted dramatic performances, gladiatorial contests, and public gatherings. Consider how the layered seating, now weathered and overgrown, evokes the countless bodies that once occupied this space, their voices echoing with laughter, sorrow, and anticipation. Note the ways in which the ruins are captured, overgrown with vegetation. Does the image of the dilapidated amphitheater suggest the transience of human endeavor? Or the enduring power of place and memory? This photograph invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of civilizations, the stories etched into stone, and the ever-present dialogue between past and present.