Text 2. A Roman theatre

Roman towns are famous for their places of entertainment, which were often decorated as lavishly as the forum and the temples.

The roman loved chariot races, and larger towns had tracks, often outside the walls. The Romans also adopted the idea of building theatres in stone from the Greeks. These great D shaped building were surpassed in size only by amphitheatres, the huge oval arenas where gladiators and animals fought in bloody combats.

This splendid Roman theatre is of the type seen in Italy and many of the Mediterranean provinces. It could hold several thousand people. Its deep, semicircular shape and the sloping roof above the stage meant that even those high up at the back could hear the actors clearly – provided the crowd kept quiet! The stage often had an elaborate backdrop (the scenaefrons) decorated with marble columns, statues and mosaics. It represented three house-fronts, and the actors entered and exited through the doors. Actors could perform on the stage and in an area in front called orchestra. The seating for the audience was supported on elaborately- constructed concrete vaults and arches.