Roman Theatre

Brief history of the invasion of the Romans in Greece The Romans began to expand out of Italy in an effort to conquer other parts of the Mediterranean around 275 BC. Originally, the Romans allowed Greece to believe that they were still independent. By 146 BC, however, they had destroyed Corinth and made Athens a providence of the Roman Empire. The Romans considered Greece to be weak politically.

History, Facts and Information about Roman Theatre Much of the architecture, structure, design, buildings and the plays shown in the Roman theatre were influenced by the Greek theatre. The semicircular design of the building enhanced the natural acoustics of the theatre.

The entertainment available in the Roman Theatre included mime, orations, dance, choral events and different types of plays including farce, tragedy and comedy.

Different types of Roman Theatres and Amphitheatres The Roman theatres and amphitheatres were two different sorts of buildings. The Roman Theatre being built in the shape of a semicircle and The Roman amphitheatre was generally oval. The purpose for which each type of theatre was designed was also quite different.

Different types of Roman Theatres and Amphitheatres The Roman theatres were designed for for stage plays The Roman theatres were designed for for stage plays The Amphitheatres were designed for the greater spectacles and shows of gladiators and wild animals The Amphitheatres were designed for the greater spectacles and shows of gladiators and wild animals The Circuses (circi) such as the famous Circus Maximus which was built on a much bigger scale and designed to stage chariot races The Circuses (circi) such as the famous Circus Maximus which was built on a much bigger scale and designed to stage chariot races The Naumachiae where places for the shows of sea battles The Naumachiae where places for the shows of sea battles The stadia were places in the form of the circus designed for the running of men and horses The stadia were places in the form of the circus designed for the running of men and horses The Xysti were places constructed like porticos in which the wrestlers exercised The Xysti were places constructed like porticos in which the wrestlers exercised The Odeon was a small Roman Theatre, often roofed, used for smaller entertainment venues such as performed music poetry readings, debates, or lectures The Odeon was a small Roman Theatre, often roofed, used for smaller entertainment venues such as performed music poetry readings, debates, or lectures *There were, however, some similarities between the different types of Roman theatres such as the seating arrangements, styles of stage scenery and props and awnings.

Roman theatres derive their basic design from the Theatre of Pompey, the first permanent Roman theatre. Pompey the Great was the first who undertook the building of a fixed theatre, which was built of square stone. Roman Theatres, in the first ages of the commonwealth, were only temporary, and composed of wood. Roman theatres derive their basic design from the Theatre of Pompey, the first permanent Roman theatre. Pompey the Great was the first who undertook the building of a fixed theatre, which was built of square stone. Roman Theatres, in the first ages of the commonwealth, were only temporary, and composed of wood.

The Roman Theatre buildings were designed in the shape of a half circle and built on level ground with stadium-style seating where the audience was raised. The Roman Theatre buildings were large and could hold up to 15,000 people. The theatre itself was divided into the stage (orchestra) and the seating section (auditorium). The Roman Theatre buildings were designed in the shape of a half circle and built on level ground with stadium-style seating where the audience was raised. The Roman Theatre buildings were large and could hold up to 15,000 people. The theatre itself was divided into the stage (orchestra) and the seating section (auditorium).

The Roman theatre did not have a roof instead an awning was pulled over the audience to protect them from the sun or rain. Another innovation was introduced to the Roman Theatre c 78 B.C - a cooling system which was provided by air blowing over streams of water.

Roman Theatre Seating The audience seating portion of the Roman theatre was called the Cavea and arrange in wedge-shaped seating sections. According to Vitruvius the gradus, "are not to be less than twenty inches in height, nor more than twenty- two. Their width must not be more than two feet and a half, nor less than two feet." There was a threefold distinction of the seats, according to the ordinary division of the people into senators, knights (equites) and the commons. The first range was called orchestra because in that part of the Greek theatres the dances were performed; the second range of seating was called the equestria and the third range of seats were called the popularia.

Roman Theatre - The Stage The stage in the Roman Theatre was raised to about five feet high. The Roman theatre stage measured feet deep and feet long. The stage was covered with a roof. There was a stage house, or building, behind the stage. The stage wall was called the ' Frons Scenae '. There were doorways to the left and right and a curtained central doorway from which the actors made their entrances in the Roman Theatre. The two doors on either side of the central door in the Roman scaenae frons were called the portae hospitales. The door on right reserved for second actor, the left door for person of less importance. In addition there were 3-5 doors in the rear wall of the stage. The stage wall included columns, niches, porticoes, statues all of which were brightly painted. The dressing rooms were located in the side wings. The portico or passageway behind the scaenae (scene building) of a Roman theatre was called the portus post scaenas.