Talk:Roman theatre (structure)

Differences between Greek and Roman theatres
There are some very specific differences between Greek and Roman theatres that are still not listed here. For instance, in a typical Greek theatre, the orchestra was perfectly round, not semi-circular (many of these theatres were later modified in the Roman way, and few survive in their original form). But I don't remember all of the differences off the top of my head. There's a bit with how the skene evolved into the proscenium, I don't exactly remember how it goes. I think the proscenium was the front side of the skene, which in Roman theatres evolved into the "back wall" of the acting area, but I'm not entirely sure. I'll try and look it up in the near future. --Woggly 08:54, 10 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Here's a link to a site that has passable diagrams of the two different prototypes: and this site has a good description of Greek theatres as well as a clearer diagram: This seems to support what I think I remember, that the Greek skene/skeane sort of "stretched" and evolved into the back wall of the Roman theater. --Woggly 09:14, 10 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Yeah! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.140.130.222 (talk • contribs) 00:52, 7 December 2005

I would add a lot to this page, but in most instances I am unsure if a theatre is Greek or Roman.--SkiDragon 21:56, 26 December 2006 (UTC)

I think you did great job covering the basics of Roman theatre structure. You wrote that there existed simliarities between Roman ampitheatres and theatres, but never mentioned what those simliarities were. If you could incorporate that into the article, I think it would be better.

-Jeff J (from Roman Civ Class) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.74.82.121 (talk • contribs) 03:45, 13 May 2007

What a great article on Roman theatres! There are a few things that I would add. I would include what materials composed the theatres. Also, you have many pictures of Roman theatres, but no pictures of Roman ampitheatres. Maybe you could add a photo of a ampitheatre.

Andrew P (from Roman Civ Class) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Pelle1831 (talk • contribs) 06:05, 14 May 2007

This is an article on theatres, not amphitheatres. If you want pictures of amphitheatres, see List of Roman amphitheatres.--SkiDragon 06:26, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Wonderful detail in this article. The use of images was also very effective. There is one little typo (fand instead of ‘and’) in the third paragraph of the ‘Theater Structure’ section. If there happens to be a diagram or picture of a Roman theater labeled with the 'scaenae frons' and such, that could be a nice addition. Nice article overall!

Jenny B (Roman Civ.) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jenjb (talk • contribs) 00:17, 15 May 2007

Slight re-write
I made a slight re-write as a good deal of information was not quite right. Among the changes was the differences between Roman and Greek theatres (on an earlier edit) and some mentions that made the theatre in france sound like it was the best preserved Roman theatre where it is clearly not. Also I had to change details about tearing down theatres as there were several permanent theatre in the city of Rome and the article made it sound as if these were torn down on a regular basis. Wooden theatres were torn down this practice mostly ended in 55 BC. Also the article actualy said that no theatres survived outside of Rome yet there is a list knee deep with surviving theatres. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.62.180.166 (talk • contribs) 10:11, 21 June 2007

Proposed format for list
— Preceding unsigned comment added by SkiDragon (talk • contribs) 19:33, 17 November 2008
 * I agree with this format. It's similar to the one for the List of Roman amphitheatres. I would also suggest splitting it off into its own page, like that one. Thoughts? Eponymous-Archon (talk) 14:16, 23 March 2015 (UTC)
 * I have split this off into its own page. Eponymous-Archon (talk) 13:58, 7 April 2015 (UTC)

"theaters were built from medieval-day Spain to the Middle East" WTF? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.108.10.22 (talk) 19:45, 27 August 2010 (UTC)

Nothing wrong with that sentence! 86.91.41.128 (talk) 16:32, 16 September 2013 (UTC)

The lead sentence
It's a fragment, and needs a rewrite. The lead paragraph should summarize the main points presented by the sections, briefly. --Lexein (talk) 20:29, 27 August 2012 (UTC)

It's not a fragment anymore, but the whole emphasis on the theater of Pompey is incorrect. At the very least the claim needs a citation. That theater was the first stone theater built in Rome, but Roman settlements had theaters before it, for example at Pompey after the planting of the Sullan colony. I 've put up a citation needed note and will re-write this section to remove the Pompey-an influence unless a supporting citation is found. Eponymous-Archon (talk) 14:20, 23 March 2015 (UTC)

Weeks later and no comments, so I have removed claims for Pompey's theater. Eponymous-Archon (talk) 13:34, 7 April 2015 (UTC)

verify whether the theatre of Physkos(Marmaris) is genuine
Physkos also known as Marmaris has a roman theatre. I've seen it, and it looks a bit to slick to be from the Roman ages. Can somebody verify it and add it to the list if he/she knows it's real Roman?86.91.41.128 (talk) 16:33, 16 September 2013 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.91.41.128 (talk) 16:30, 16 September 2013 (UTC)

Proposed to Merge List of Roman theatres into Roman theatre (structure)

 * Proposed to Merge List of Roman theatres into Roman theatre (structure) (ie just put the list below the article). The first of what is intended to be a series of proposals to reduce the very bad habit that has grown up in this area of separating short articles and fairly short lists. Here the article is only 6.2 kbytes and the list 33 kb. It is unencyclopedic to keep them apart - readers of each should see both. Outside the table the list article has only a one-line introduction (which manages to include two spellings of "theatre/theater"). In cases where the combined length would be excessive (eg Greek temple and the matching list) there is sense in this approach (with a proper introduction) but not here. Please comment at Talk:List of Roman theatres, not here.  Johnbod (talk) 14:05, 17 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Please have all discussion in one place at Talk:List of Roman theatres. -- ELEKHHT 23:16, 25 March 2016 (UTC)
 * ?Yes. I said that. So why are you discussing it here? Johnbod (talk) 02:35, 26 March 2016 (UTC)

Archeologists discovered another purpose of theatres
Theatres were used for commerce too. Check the source to this discovery.

That last line.
" The Roman theatre of Orange in modern Orange, France, is a good example of a classic Roman theatre, with an indented scaenae frons, reminiscent of Western Roman theatre designs, however stripped of its ornamental stone columns, statues and [4]"

And what? I can't seem to find when this last word was edited out. 79.33.115.167 (talk) 20:33, 12 March 2020 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 05:44, 8 December 2022 (UTC)
 * Aspendos Amphitheatre.jpg