Amphitheatre
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The best-known amphitheatre in the world is the Colosseum in Rome, which is more correctly termed the Flavian amphitheatre (Amphitheatrum Flavium), after the Flavian dynasty who had it built.
Roman amphitheatres
In the Roman Empire, an amphitheatre was round or oval in shape, in contrast to a classical theatre, which was semi-circular and used for theatrical performances. An amphitheatre also differed from a Roman circus or Greek hippodrome, both of which were used for chariot racing and horse racing and were shaped more like a very long, narrow horse shoe. The Roman amphitheatre is also different from a Roman forum, which was the public space in the middle of a Roman city.
An amphitheatre in a community became a prized symbol of Roman citizenship in the outlying areas of Italy. In the small town of Larino, in the Molise, a man who had made his fortune in far away Rome financed the construction of an oval amphitheatre that could house ten thousand spectators. In fact, the amphitheatre in Larino predates the Colosseum. The remains of some 75 amphitheatres have been located in widely scattered areas of the Roman Empire.
See also: List of Roman amphitheatres.
Other amphitheatres
The Greeks also built amphitheatres anciently. Some notable Greek amphitheatres include the Theatre of Dionysus at the Acropolis in Athens, as well as amphitheatres in Epidaurus and Delphi.
A contemporary amphitheatre refers to semi-circular, acoustically vibrant performance spaces, particularly those which are located outdoors. These often include standing structures, sometimes curved or "bowl" shaped, both behind the stage and behind the audience, creating an area which echoes or amplifies sound, making the amphitheatre ideal for musical or theatrical performances. Notable modern amphitheatres include the Universal Amphitheatre and the Hollywood Bowl. The largest amphitheatre in North America is the Hyundai Pavilion in Devore, California with a seating capacity of 65,000.
See also: List of contemporary amphitheatres.
A natural amphitheatre is a performance space located in a spot where a steep mountain or a particular rock formation naturally amplifies or echoes sound, making it ideal for musical and theatrical performances. The term amphitheatre can also be used to describe naturally occurring formations which would be ideal for this purpose, even if no theatre has been constructed there. Notable natural amphitheatres include Echo Rock, New Mexico, Cedar Breaks National Monument and Red Rocks, Colorado.
Gallery
See also
- Arena
- Circus Maximus
- Forma Urbis Romae
- Ludus Magnus
- Roman architecture
- Stadium
- List of ancient Roman triumphal arches
- List of ancient temple structures
- List of archaeological sites sorted by country
- List of contemporary amphitheatres
- List of buildings
- List of building types
- List of football stadiums by capacity
- List of indoor arenas
- List of Roman amphitheatres
- List of stadiums
External links
- [article "Amphitheatrum"] (Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities)
- [Caerleon amphitheatre]
- [Chester amphitheatre]
- [Pula amphitheatre]
- [Rome: Colosseum at LacusCurtius] with Platner article
- [Rome: Amphitheatrum Castrense]
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