Five ancient theaters that were epicenters of entertainment in times

Theaters have been a very effective way of art display. The stories portrayed to entertain the public mostly included poetry, acting and dance. Though theaters were started and relied on hugely for the only mean of entertainment in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, it has got ample popularity these days all over the world. Most of the ancient theaters are usually found in Greece and Rome. The Greek theaters were built on the slopes of hills and construction wise they used to be huge open-air structures. Roman theaters being influenced by the Greek ones are more or less of the same structure. However, the only difference is that the Romans used to lay a foundation of their construction works.

Let us discuss few of those ancient theaters where entertainment took shape for many years together.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus

The Odeon was built in the southern slope of the Athenian Acropolis in 161 A.D. Herodes Atticus get this theater built in the loving memory of his late wife. Though Herodes was a Greek by birth, he was a very influential and privileged Roman citizen. He was a philosopher, sophist, and rhetorician. He was believed to be the teacher of two Roman kings as well. He used to live a life as Romans and he married a very beautiful Roman lady named Rigilla. After the demise of Rigilla in a very young age, Herodes dedicated a lot of construction works to her. The Odeon of Rigilla was a monument was also built by him.

Epidaurus_Theater_05

The Theater of Epidaurus

The Theater of Epidaurus was restored in twentieth century after the excavation of Epidaurus started in 1880. It has gained the honor of the most perfect example of the ancient theaters present in Greece. It used to act as a religious and political hub in Epidaurus. The theater had fifty-five rows of seats. There are twelve tiers are at the lower landing and twenty two at the upper landing. The theater could accommodate more than twenty thousand viewers.

The Roman Theater of Orange

The ancient theater was restored in the 19th century. It was originally constructed by Augustus in first century A.D. it has been hosting a summer opera festival every year now. The visitors can avail a free audio guide to let them know about the past social life of Roman civilizations.

Athen Theater

The Theater of Dionysus

The Theater of Dionysus is believed to be the most ancient theater of all time. This theater was built in a purpose of performance of Athenian drama during the celebration of the Great Dionyssia, one of the major religious festivals of the city. The descendants of the tyrant Peisistratos built this theater.

The Theater of Merida

The Theater of Merida is a classic example of the theater designs of the Romans. The theater provides three horizontal seating sections, which corresponded to the social class of the spectators. The theater can accommodate five and a half thousands of spectators at once.

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