Ancient Theaters, Amphitheaters, and Circuses: A Comparative Study

Ancient Theaters, Amphitheaters, and Circuses

Participate in this topic by adding -nt- (1a and 2a) or -ent- (3a and 4a). Laudo to Laudants-NTIS, NTIS-time 2 timens, Capio-3 capients capientis, audio 4-audients audientis. // participant Amans, NTIS puerum-lover Pueri lovers, Puelles amantibus; etc. ...// cancertat may be involved or absolute (in ablative). // Translation (was, were, they came ... they saw ... what is ....)// Decumanus (EO) Cards (NS) //

The Greek Theatre was divided into three distinct sections:

• The stands where spectators were sitting.
• The orchestra, a circular space where the chorus sang and danced.
• The stage, a platform for actors and a building that served as a backdrop, storage, and dressing rooms (scaena).

The Romans followed this basic structure but introduced innovations to improve them:

Amphitheater

Offered violent shows. There are three basic parts:

• The arena was the track where the shows were held and was covered with sand.
• Fossae or basement: Under the sand were the stores.
• The tier-cavea was built by a system of galleries and stairs that allowed access to entrances (vomitoria). It was separated from the sand by a wall about four feet high called the podium. One or more galleries were reserved for important people (the emperor).

Circus

Chariot races:

The court (sand) was divided in half by a long embankment (spina). At the end of the spina was a goal. Columns in the form of the spina were used. There used to be Egyptian obelisks, statues of gods, and counters (seven large wooden eggs or seven dolphins) that were used to count the seven laps of the race. The sand was separated from the cavea-tier by a barrier of the track (podium).

Roman Baths

The first room in the tour of the terms was the apodyterium or dresser. Those who wanted to warm themselves in the arena (palaestra) then spread oil and started their route to the warm room or tepidarium, where they could be soaked with warm water. The main room was the caldarium, which had at least one bath (alveus) with stairs, where they sat soaking in hot water (40 degrees). There were also cold baths or frigidarium, secondary rooms such as public latrines, and a massage room.