Roman theatre (structure) Facts for Kids

Roman theatre at Amman, Jordan

Roman theatres were amazing buildings where people in ancient Rome went to watch plays and other shows. They were inspired by the Greek theatres, but the Romans made some important changes. Unlike Greek theatres, which were often built into hillsides, Roman theatres usually stood on their own strong foundations. They were also often fully enclosed, making them feel like a complete building.

Building Roman Theatres
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Building Roman Theatres

Standard floor plan of a Roman theatre

Roman theatres were built all over the huge Roman Empire. You could find them from Spain to the Middle East! The Romans were great builders, and they brought their unique style to many places. This is why we still see so many theatres around the world that look distinctly Roman.

Theatres vs. Amphitheatres

Roman theatres might look a bit like Roman amphitheatres, but they were actually very different! Both were built using strong Roman concrete and were places for public events. However, their designs were made for different types of shows.

Amphitheatres, like the Colosseum, were round or oval. They were used for exciting events like chariot races and gladiator fights. They didn't need great sound. Theatres, on the other hand, were semi-circular. Their shape helped sounds travel really well! This was perfect for plays, pantomimes (silent plays), musical events, and speeches.

Parts of a Roman Theatre

Interior view of the Roman theatre of Bosra, Syria. Here are some parts: 1) Scaenae frons (stage wall) 2) Porticus post scaenam (back porch) 3) Pulpitum (stage) 4) Proscaenium (front stage wall) 5) Orchestra (stage area) 6) Cavea (seating area) 7) Aditus maximus (main entrance) 8) Vomitorium (exit passage).

Roman theatres had special parts that made them work. These parts were mostly the same everywhere, with small changes depending on the area.

The scaenae frons was a tall, decorated wall at the back of the stage. It often had columns and statues.
The proscaenium was a wall that supported the front edge of the stage. It often had fancy decorations.
The orchestra was the stage area where the performers acted.
The cavea was the seating area for the audience. Sometimes, the cavea was built into a small hill, like Greek theatres. But Romans often built their theatres on flat ground, using strong walls to support the seats.
The cavea usually didn't have a roof. Instead, large awnings called velarium could be pulled over to protect people from the sun or rain.
Vomitoria were special passages. They were located under or behind the seats, making it easy for the audience to enter and exit quickly.

Building Challenges

For a long time, it was against the law to build permanent theatres in Rome. So, some early Roman theatres were made of wood and taken down after a festival finished. This changed in 55 BC when the Theatre of Pompey was built. It had a temple attached to it, which helped get around the law! Some Roman theatres were even started but never fully finished.

Not many theatres inside the city of Rome have survived over the centuries. This means we don't have much proof about what they looked like exactly. However, the Roman Theatre of Orange in modern Orange, France, is a great example of a classic Roman theatre. Even though some of its original decorations are gone, you can still see its impressive scaenae frons.