From this name, mystery and antiquity blows, so you should resort to historical data. The meaning of the word "amphitheater" leads us on a journey through ancient Rome. It was there that these extraordinary structures appeared. So what is an amphitheater? If we turn to the translation, then literally it will mean "two-way theater."
Amphitheater in ancient times
This building was located in the open air and was a combination of two horseshoe-shaped theaters. In the middle was an arena strewn with sand. Under it were various annexes. Around the arena was installed a strong stone fence, which was strengthened with a grill to protect against animals. Behind the fence began seating for the audience. Riders, senators and other elites occupied the nearest places, and ordinary people occupied the distant places.
What does the amphitheater mean for the Romans? This is a venue for:
- colorful gladiator fights;
- bullying unbridled animals;
- theatrical performances.
The building is convenient for its seating for spectators at different heights and arcades distributed along the outer perimeter, which expanded upward. This provided:
- free view of the stage;
- free access to stairs;
- lack of crush.
Answering the question: “What is an amphitheater?”, It should be noted that this building was used for spectacles not only in Rome, but also in ancient Greece.
Where was the amphitheater built?
In Italy, many buildings were erected. Few survived to our days - this is the oldest amphitheater in Pompeii and the famous Colosseum. In Verona, there is a building called the arena, also built in the ancient period and has preserved its splendor to this day.
Initially, the buildings were built of wood. The first wooden amphitheater for conducting gladiatorial battles was performed by order of Caesar and was broken at the end of the event. Further, during the reign of Augustus, a building was partially built of stone. Later, the building burned down during a fire. The amphitheater in Fiden fell and buried a huge number of people under its debris - 50,000. The very first stone building was erected in the Italian province of Campania.
In addition to the listed amphitheaters, small structures were erected in every city in Italy, Spain, Greece, Gaul.
Colosseum as a historical value
What is an amphitheater for history? The Coliseum of ancient Rome is an ancient building that conveys the culture and customs of that time. The world's most famous amphitheater was designed for 70,000 spectators. In the arena of this building, fierce battles of gladiators and wild animals took place.
The celebration in honor of the opening of the amphitheater lasted for 100 days non-stop. The performance program, as a rule, began with the performance of clowns and cripples, who also fought, but with the goal of not harming each other, but of making the audience laugh. Further, gladiators and animals were released into the arena, who were catapulted from the basement.
Today, the Colosseum is a magnificent ruins, and everyone can visit the building in the allotted time.
What is an amphitheater today? These are seats in the auditorium that are located behind the stalls or above the lodges on the stepped thresholds located in a semicircle.