The amphitheater is a building for mass performances of the ancient period. There are two similar, but not exactly the same types of architectural structures, for which the word "amphitheater" is used. These are Roman amphitheaters, in which the arena is surrounded by descending rows of auditoriums, as well as a modern structure similar to an ancient Greek theater.
Etymology of the word
The name "amphitheater" comes from the ancient Greek prefix amphi- meaning "around" and "on both sides", and theatron, which means "place to look." In the modern world, this word is understood as an integral part of the theater auditorium, which is located behind and slightly above the parterre.
Varieties of amphitheaters
Ancient Roman amphitheaters were intended for viewing sports shows. As a rule, these were battles of gladiators. Such structures can be compared to modern stadiums. Their name is explained by the fact that the amphitheater resembles two theaters connected together in shape.
Modern amphitheaters are designed for theatrical performances and concerts. They are reminiscent of the traditional structure of a theater building, in which in front of the stage there are auditoriums in the form of an arch that is smaller than a semicircle.
The building of the ancient Greek theater is also called the amphitheater. The ancient stage for performances is interesting because even in the back row, the audience perfectly heard the voice of the actor. The secret to such good acoustics was the limestone that made up the public areas. This material created an acoustic filter that drowned out crowd noise and amplified the voice of the actor. A colorful example of such an amphitheater is the theatrical stage in the Greek city of Epidaurus.
Usually amphitheaters are built by people, but sometimes a natural site is equipped for places of spectacles. Such amphitheaters are called natural.
Roman amphitheaters
The very first Roman amphitheater was built in Pompeii after 80 BC. a colony was established there by the soldiers of Rome. Prior to this, gladiator fights took place in the Roman Forum and several cities. During Roman times, amphitheaters were often almost rectangular or oval in shape. They differed in form and purpose from the Greek theaters. The latter were intended primarily for performances and resembled a semicircle in appearance. Nor were Roman amphitheaters like a circus or a Greek hippodrome. In shape, the latter resembled a horseshoe and served as a venue for horse races and chariot races.
The most famous Roman amphitheater in the world is the Colosseum in the city of Rome. It could accommodate 2000 spectators. Now it is in a dilapidated state. In the manuscripts of the Roman emperor Pliny the Elder from 52 BC. a record of theatrical performances and gladiatorial battles in Rome has been preserved. It talks about the invention of a mechanism consisting of two theatrical scenes that could fold into a single arena. In the morning the audience watched the performances in theaters, and in the afternoon gladiator fights took place in the folded arena. Currently, on the territory of the former Roman Empire, there are about 360 amphitheaters that are of historical value.