Mankind has long had a fascination with the theatrical. From the ancient Egyptians to the ancient Romans, putting on live performances was a way to keep the people entertained, especially during years when life was difficult for the public. Not only did it improve morale, but it added a layer of culture to the region that was missing beforehand.
The Romans were known for putting on elaborate performances, and it means that during the course of their empire they created a number of dedicated places for these performances to take place – and this was the same for many ancient cultures. Here we will look at some of the world’s oldest theatre stages.
The Theatre of Dionysus
This theatre can be found in the city of Athens, and was constructed during the Classical Period in Ancient Greek history. It was a truly fascinating time, with plays put on to honour the gods, humour the people, perform music, and so much more.
The festival of the Great Dionysia was one of the most popular religious celebrations of the time and would take place here fairly regularly. The theatre was changed many times over the years, and while much of the original architecture can still be seen, much of it has been changed to a more Roman aesthetic.
The Theatre of Delphi
Another theatre located in Greece, this one is located near to Delphi, a place that was sacred to the Greeks, and extremely significant to their belief system. The auditorium of Delphi was placed on a slope, giving viewers the chance to see the entire scene from the top.
It was also a design that allowed for a natural amplification of sound, which allowed even those right at the back to hear exactly what was going on. Today, the auditorium is not in great condition after being left to its own devices for centuries, but it remains a sneak into a past that was once considered the bastion of the civilised world.
The Theatre of Orange
The Theatre of Orange can be credited to the ancient Romans, who were very much on par with the Greeks when it came to their performances as well as their unique architectural design. The theatre was constructed during the reign of Emperor Augustus, but it didn’t last long, being shut down by the Church some three hundred years later due to the church believing that many of the performances put on were sinful.
It would remain closed until the 19th century, where it was reopened and is still very much in use today, and a great place to sit down at to play Keno online. The Theatre of Orange can be found in the country of France, which was at a point controlled by the Romans for some time.
The Theatre of Merida
Considered by many as one of the grandest theatres to be built during the height of the Romans, the Theatre Of Merida is located in the city of the same name, within the country of Spain.
It’s a testament to the excellent building skills of the Romans, and the lengths that they went to realise their vision. It’s possible to go visit the auditorium today as it’s open to the general public.