Built during the peaceful reign of Antonius Pius around 140 AD (some sources claim it was during the reign of Marcus Aurelius) in the Roman city of Philadelphia – now Amman, Jordan – Amman Roman Theatre was a thriving cultural hub built into the hillside.
The south-facing stage was designed to be bathed in sunlight for most of the day while the audience seating remained shaded. The acoustics, as they are in virtually all remaining Roman theatre complexes, are excellent.
The standard three tier layout meant the rulers sat on the bottom, closest to the action, the military and assorted dignitaries took the middle tier and the general public had to squint from the top. The forum in front of the theatre was added by Commodus (famously played by Joaquin Phoenix in the 2001 film Gladiator), although now the only physical remains are a long Corinthian colonnade and some Roman paving stones.
Even today, theatrical and musical performances and other cultural activities are held in the theatre, restored in 1957, including the Amman International Book Fair and musical concerts – most notably the Al-Balad Music Festival. Visitors can also see the restored Odeon on the east side of the forum which could accommodate around 500 spectators and the Nymphaeum, an ornamental fountain dedicated to the water nymphs built in 191 AD.
Situated in the Hashemite Plaza beside the Odeon Theatre, Amman Roman Theatre is easily found on foot while exploring Amman or by car. Raghdan Tourist Terminal with car parking is only minutes walk away.
]]>Like Arles Amphitheatre, it was probably constructed in the late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD, during the reign of the Emperor Augustus (27 BC–14 AD). With a capacity for seating 8,000 spectators on 33 tiers of steps, the theatre in Arles as a similar size to its counterpart in Orange.
Quarried for its materials in the Middle Ages and overtaken by other development, Arles Roman Theatre was only really rediscovered in the 19th century. By this time, only a fraction of its steps remained together with the orchestra and two solitary columns.
Unlike its famous counterpart – Arles Amphitheatre – which stands in an excellent state of preservation, Arles Roman Theatre has suffered significant deterioration. Of the once-impressive rear wall stands only a couple of pillar-stumps and a pair of complete columns.
Nevertheless, the theatre has gained a new lease of life and today is protected from the outside by screens and inside contains technical items that allow the site to become a popular venue.
Many of the statues and other objects once contained in the Arles Roman Theatre are now displayed in museums, including the Arles Archaeological Museum. The theatre’s most notable piece, the Venus d’ Arles, can now be found in the Louvre in Paris.
Sat just beside the amphitheatre in central Arles, the Roman Theatre is easily reached on foot. The train station is only a 10 minute walk away and serves links to Marseilles Saint-Charles and Lyon.
]]>Still able to seat up to 15,000 people this Roman amphitheatre was once part of the city of Aspendos, which was founded by Ancient Greeks from Argos and was first written about by the Hittites in 800 BC.
Under the Romans, the city grew even more prosperous and Aspendos Roman Theatre was built there during the mid-second century AD.
The theatre was built during the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (160 to 180). Thanks to inscriptions on its walls, we know exactly who designed it: Zenon, son of Theodorus. The inscriptions also tell us that the Greek architect, who was born in Aspendos, was funded by two rich brothers.
Another legend follows that the theatre resulted from a competition organised by the ruler of Aspendos, the prize being the hand of the ruler’s daughter. The acoustics of the theatre supposedly impressed the ruler so much that its architect won the competition and married the ruler’s daughter in the theatre.
Despite being built during Roman rule, the theatre displays many Greek characteristics. The sheer scale of the Aspendos Theater is impressive. The overall width of the theatre is 96 metres, with other elements following general proportions: the width of the stage is half the width of the building, and the diameter of the orchestra is half the width of the stage.
The spectator tribune, meanwhile, is divided in two parts by a horizontal walkway called the diazoma.
The theatre is also known for its excellent acoustics and exquisite architectural ornamentation. The two-story stage building is particularly impressive and, like most of the theatre, has been exceptionally well preserved. This is largely due to the city’s continuous settlement through to the Byzantine and Seljuk periods. The Seljuks had used the theatre as a caravanserai, and restored the structure in the 13th century.
Visitors can wander around Aspendos Roman Theatre and it even plays host to an annual summer festival. Nearby are also the remains of an Ancient Roman aqueduct.
Today the Aspendos Theatre is still used for wrestling, live music concerts or dance shows. The lines of marble seats are built like the rings of an onion, in a perfect semicircle. There is an open stage and behind that the 3 storey, Corinthian-style stage building. All around it are a gallery of arcades – and everything is still in excellent condition.
This impressive site features as one of our Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Turkey.
The Aspendos Theater is located in the ancient city of Aspendos, about 25 miles east of the modern city of Antalya, Turkey.
]]>Originally part of an area called Epirus, Butrint has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Venetians. As a result, Butrint offers a wealth of incredible archaeological structures, including a well preserved Greek theatre, fortifications which have been changed by each civilisation which occupied it, Roman public baths inside which lies a paleo-Christian baptistery and a 9th century basilica.
One of Butrint’s earliest sites is its sanctuary, which dates back to the 4th century and sits on its hill or ‘acropolis’. The sanctuary was named after the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, and was a centre of healing. Butrint was abandoned during the Ottoman era when marshes started to emerge around it.
However, many of Butrint’s historical treasures remain intact and today the site attracts tourists from around the globe. The great thing about Butrint is the ability to trace the development of a succession of eras through its sites and structures, making it a microcosm of history.
With so much to see, including an onsite museum exploring the site’s history, a visit to Butrint National Park usually lasts around 3 hours.
Approximately 20 kilometres from the modern city of Saranda, Butrint is easily reached by bus. From the port of Saranda, the bus stop is found on foot: on exiting the port turn right and walk for about 220 metres until you see a roundabout with a huge tree in the middle. There is roughly one departure per hour and the bus takes about 30 – 40 minutes and costs 100 lek.
]]>Originally built during the time of Roman control of Carthage, the theatre is believed to have been destroyed during the Vandal invasions of the 5th century AD. Able to seat at least 5,000 spectators, the Roman theatre of Carthage would have been a central meeting place in the ancient city.
The Odeon would have been viewed for musical entertainment and was a more intimate setting than its close neighbour.
Now restored, it is no longer clear how much of the structure is original but it is fair to say the Roman theatre can be viewed as more of a reconstruction than an ancient ruin. The same cannot be said however for the Odeon of Carthage, which stands across the way from Carthage Roman theatre. The Odeon has not been restored and its ruins can still be seen today.
Standard admission to the ruins (which also include the Antonine baths) is 32 DT or £8. A number of statues found at the site of the Carthage Roman Theatre and Odeon are now on display in the Bardo Museum.
Along the N9 road towards the coast from Tunis, Carthage is reached by car in around 20 minutes. An easy alternative from central Tunis is via local transport: the TMG light railway Carthage-Byrsa station is within the ancient site and a daily service runs from the early morning until midnight.
]]>Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre was constructed in the early 2nd century to hold a capacity of 8,000 spectators. Located in the major Roman city of Corinium, today known as Cirencester, Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre would have attracted visitors from around Roman Britain to its shows, likely featuring gladiatorial fights and exotic animal displays.
Corinium was the second-largest city in Roman Britain after Londinium (London), and was home to around 10,000 people. Following the Roman retreat from Britain in the 5th century however, the once-thriving community rapidly declined. Without soldiers’ wages to keep the local economy afloat and no private patrons to fund public games at the amphitheatre, it soon fell into disuse as a centre of entertainment.
Instead, it was turned into a fortress to safeguard what was left of the town’s community – these efforts were in vain however, as in 577 the Saxons invaded and took Cirencester.
It was then abandoned until in the Middle Ages the Abbot of Cirencester began using it as a rabbit warren, while its local name the ‘Bull Ring’ suggests its use at one point in bull-baiting.
Today Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public. Very little of its structure remains however its large earthworks are still visible, giving an insight into the size of the former theatre – it is one of the largest in Britain!
It is oval-shaped with entrances at each end, and large banks once used to support seating made from wood atop drystone walls. Later in the amphitheatre’s life two small rooms were created on either side of one of the entrances, with one possibly used as a shrine to Nemesis, as was common at Roman amphitheatres such as Chester Roman Amphitheatre.
Cirencester Roman Amphitheatre is located just west of Cirencester, next to the city’s bypass on the A429. Free parking is available in the car park at the east end of Cotswold Avenue.
The nearest train station is Kemble, 4 miles away, from which the 882 bus service stops at The Forum in Cirencester, a 10-minute walk away. A number of bus services also stop at the nearby Hospital stop, a 15-minute walk to the site.
]]>Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Corinth grew from the 8th century BC under the Ancient Greeks, developing into a centre of trade and a city of great riches. Much of this wealth was accumulated from the 7th century BC under the rule of Periander, who exploited Corinth’s location in the Isthmus of Corinth. By travelling through Corinth, ships could cross quickly between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, avoiding the need to sail around the coast. Corinth had the diolkos, a ship hauling device which allowed them to do just that. Ship owners were charged for using this device, providing Corinth with an ongoing flow of income.
Corinth became such a powerful city-state that it even established various colonies such as Syracuse and Epidamnus. In 338 BC, following the Peloponnesian War and the subsequent Corinthian War, Corinth was conquered by Philip II of Macedon. Throughout the classical era, Corinth had held regular sporting tournaments known as the Isthmian Games. These were continued under the Macedonians and, in fact, it was at the 336 BC Isthmus Games that Alexander the Great was selected to lead the Macedonians in the war against Persia.
In 146 BC, Corinth suffered partial destruction from the invasion of Roman general Mummius, although it was later rebuilt under Julius Caesar, eventually growing into an even more prosperous Roman city. Corinth’s decline began in 267 AD following the invasion of the Herulians. Over the subsequent years, it would fall into the hands of the Turks, the Knights of Malta, the Venetians and finally the Greeks, each of these conflicts, together with numerous natural disasters, depleting but never entirely destroying the city’s once magnificent sites.
Another interesting aspect of Corinth is its diverse religious history. Dedicated to the Greek deities of Apollo, Octavia and Aphrodite, during Roman times it was also the home of a large Jewish community as well as being visited by the Apostle Paul.
Today, visitors to Corinth can see its many ancient sites, including the fairly well-preserved ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which was built in 550 BC and the remaining columns of the Temple of Octavia. By contrast, only few remnants remain of the former Temple of Aphrodite, once a home of Corinth’s sacred prostitutes. Perhaps what makes Corinth such a fascinating site is that, due to its extensive wealth over the years, this ancient city’s Doric architecture was exceptionally ornate.
Beyond these sacred sites, much of Corinth’s original infrastructure is visible along with many remains from the Roman-era city, including the Theatre and the Peirene Fountain.
Those wanting to learn more about Corinth and see many of the artefacts from its excavation can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth.
Corinth is on an Isthmus – it’s easily accessible from Athens via motorway 8. The journey should take just over an hour. Corinth also has a train station, with direct connections to Athens (1 hour) and Kiato (40 mins).
]]>Inhabited since prehistoric times, Epidaurus thrived as a sanctuary devoted to the healing deities including Apollo, Asklepios and Hygeia and contained hundreds of spas, the remains of many of which can be seen today.
The main sanctuary area, called the Asklepieion, contains two such spas where a variety of healing rituals took place, including hypnosis. There is also a shrine to Asklepios and the remains of rooms for patients. Asklepios was the god of healing, believed to have been born on the nearby Mount Titthion.
Probably the most impressive of the sites at Epidaurus is the 4th century BC theatre, which was built to accommodate approximately 15,000 people and is still extremely well preserved.
Whilst most of the sites at Epidaurus were constructed in the 4h and 5th centuries BC, when the city was at its peak, some of them date back as far as the Mycenaean period and others were also adapted later by the Romans. The theatre is one example of such refurbishments.
Epidaurus experienced difficulty in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. In 395, the site was sacked by the Goths. Almost 30 years later the site was ordered to close by the Emperor Theodosius II, due to it being a pagan sanctuary.
Epidaurus was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Greece, outside of Athens. A particular attraction is the theatre. Not only is it the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece, but by visiting (and speaking) at this theatre, you can really get a sense of the remarkable acoustics this structure allowed.
When visiting, a fun thing to do is to test the ancient theatre’s acoustics first hand. Sit yourself on the theatre’s highest row of seats and marvel at how clearly you can hear conversations happening down on the ancient stage.
Overall, Epidaurus is an absolutely vast, fascinating site set over three levels and offering an insight into Ancient Greek life. There is also a nearby Epidaurus Museum, exhibiting artefacts from its excavation.
Epidaurus is situated on the Argolid Peninsula, roughly 2 hours drive from Athens.
Day tours to the site are also available, particularly from the cities of Athens, Corinth and Nafplion.
]]>Originally named Ford’s New Theatre, Ford’s was built by Baltimore theater entrepreneur John T. Ford on the site of the First Baptist Church. Built in 1833, the church had been abandoned in 1859, and Ford had converted the building into Ford’s Atheneum in 1862, but the Atheneum had burned later that year.
Construction on the site as it is today began in 1863 overseen by James J. Gifford. It was modeled after the design of Baltimore’s Holliday Street Theatre.
A Confederate sympathiser and spy, Booth had originally planned to kidnap Lincoln, but instead shot the President in the back of the head as he watched Ford’s Theatre’s production of “Our American Cousin” from the state box (box seven). President Lincoln was the first American President to be assassinated.
Following Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Ford briefly considered continuing to use the building as a theatre, but outcry from the American public forced him to abandon the idea. The still-unfinished building was seized in July of 1865 by order of the Secretary of War, and its interior was torn out in August of 1865.
The building was subsequently converted into a three-story office building housing the Army Medical Museum and Surgeon General. Rather than being recognized for its historical significance, the building was used for a variety of government purposes over the course of several decades. In 1893, a section of the interior collapsed, killing 22 people, and alterations to the building, including the facade, followed in 1894.
After many years of serving as storage space, Ford’s Theatre was transferred to the ownership of the National Park Service in 1931, and in 1967, the building was restored to its 1865 appearance. Currently, the building continues to stage plays and operate as a theatre, in addition to hosting a museum relating to the Lincoln assassination.
Since its reopening in 1968, Ford’s Theatre has produced plays and musicals celebrating the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and exploring the American experience.
Ford’s Theatre is now an operating theatre house as well as a museum showcasing a variety of historical artefacts related to Lincoln’s presidency, his assassination and his life in Washington. Ford’s Theatre also stands across the street from Petersen House, where the President was taken following the shooting and where he subsequently died.
Ford’s Theatre is conveniently located near the Metro Center and Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stations. For visitors driving, an independent parking garage is located directly next to the theatre; however, the elevator to our lobby is currently closed to limit crowding in our lobby. Visitors will need to use the garage’s F street elevators and then walk one block to 10th Street to enter Ford’s Theatre. Parking fees are not validated
]]>The Grand Roman Theatre of Lyon, known as “Théâtre Romain” was constructed by Augustus in approximately 15BC and was able to seat up to around 10,000 people. The theatre was divided into 3 sections: the “cavea” (a vast shell with 25 stands leading to the pit) built on a gallery. In bad weather, a “velum” (awning) was stretched over the “cavea”, tied to the backstage wall. The “cavea” had several “vomitorias” (doors leading to the stands).
The “balteus” was the wall separating the Plebs from the Patricians. Finally the semi-circular pit was the most ornate part with multi-coloured geometric patterns. This was where the choir, dancers and actors performed. It is 27 m in diameter.
The stage supported by a wall, the “pulpitum”, has been fitted with floorboards to allow use of the theatre today. It is decorated with a few columns and the statue of a woman. Each column was there to commemorate an emperor, with his ashes stored in the base. The theatre was dedicated to tragedies and comedies.
Having been well restored in the early twentieth century, the Grand Roman Theatre of Lyon is one of the oldest structures of its kind and a reminder of Lugdunum, the Gallo-Roman city which would become Lyon. The site was generally abandoned by the third century AD.
Behind the theatre are further ruins, possibly the remains of the Temple of Cybele.
Today the theatre is primarily a tourist site, but it is still used as a cultural venue. Each year, the Nuits de Fourvière festival takes place in the theatre, and the site is still used for performances.
Situated on Fourvière Hill near the Notre Dame Basilica, from the theater you can also see the grand remains of the Odeon of Lyon, with its beautiful inlaid floor of marble and porphyry. Forming a pair with the main theater, the Odeon was built early in the second century with space for 3,000 people.
Behind the Grand Roman Theatre of Lyon, you can also visit the remains of an ancient Roman temple, dedicated in 160 AD to goddess Cybele.
The Grand Roman Theatre is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lyon.
The address of the Grand Roman Theatre of Lyon is Rue de l’Antiquaille, 69005 Lyon, France.
To get to the ancient ruins on Street rue Cléberg, take the Fourvière funicular or the metro to Vieux Lyons on line D, from where it’s about a 15-minute walk to the theater. Entrance is free and the site is open Tuesday through to Sunday.
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