Roman theatre at Amman in Jordan stands today as a silent witness to a structural revolution. Ancient builders chose concrete foundations over the earthen hillsides that Greek architects relied upon for centuries. This decision allowed construction anywhere, not just where nature provided a slope. The Romans built their theatres regardless of the availability of hillsides. All theatres within the city of Rome were completely man-made without the use of earthworks. Concrete became the primary material for these structures across the Empire. Builders used this durable substance from Spain to the Middle East. The result was a building type that could stand independently on flat ground.
Acoustics And Layouts
The scaenae frons rose high behind the stage floor supported by columns. This wall helped direct sound toward the audience seated in the cavea. Roman designers crafted semicircular forms to enhance natural acoustics. Amphitheatres did not need superior acoustics unlike those provided by the structure of a Roman theatre. Gladiatorial events and races took place in round amphitheatres. Plays and orations required the specific layout found in Roman theatres. The proscaenium supported the front edge of the stage with ornately decorated niches off to the sides. Hellenistic influence appeared through the use of the proscenium. A podium sometimes supported the columns of the scaenae frons inside the building. The center of the cavea was hollowed out while outer seats required solid retaining walls.From Wood To Stone
Some Roman theatres constructed of wood were torn down after the festival concluded. A moratorium on permanent theatre structures lasted until 55 BC when the Theatre of Pompey was built. The addition of a temple avoided the law against stone buildings. Before this shift, temporary wooden stages served the public for short periods. The Theatre of Pompey marked the beginning of an era where stone became standard. Some Roman theatres show signs of never having been completed in the first place. This unfinished state suggests that political or financial hurdles could halt construction before completion. The transition from ephemeral wood to enduring stone changed how Romans experienced performance art forever.