what is the differences between Greek theaters and Roman (Colosseum) ?

Answer 1

First of all, the Roman Colosseum is not a theatre. It is a Roman Amphitheatre. (take note that the contemporary American definition of "amphitheatre" is NOT what the Romans would call an amphitheatre. Rather than looking like a Roman Amphitheatre, modern-day "amphitheatres" look more like Greek theatres! But I digress...) Roman theatres were half-moon shaped buildings whereas amphitheatres were fully round. Theatres were for plays and similar entertainments, whereas amphitheatres were primarily for gladitorial games and that kind of thing. Greek theatres changed greatly over time from the Classical period until and through the Hellenistic Age. However, the most noticable differences were that the Roman Theatre was a separate stand-alone building, whereas Greek theatres were outdoor spaces built into the landscape, in a fan-like structure that went about 270 degrees of a circle, whereas the Roman structure only had a 180 degrees. The Greek stage was lower, with a large orchestra (meaning "dancing place") space where acting and dancing and singing took place, and a smallish building or backdrop behind the stage. The Roman theatre had seating in the orchestra space (much of the time--sometimes used for performance: there are many tales of that area being flooded for nautical themes. It's likewise believed that the Colosseum was flooded in it's very early years--before the understage was built--to facilitate naval battles) and a higher stage with a very large and very ornate backdrop building behind the stage. The Roman theatres also had a kind of cloth roof that may have been retractable in some way. A great source for all questions relative to theatre history is http://www.theatrehistory.com/. Happy surfing--

Answer 2

Greek Colosseum

Answer 3

The Roman Colosseum was actually designed by putting the plans for a single Roman theatre in mirror image. Typically the Roman theatres were semi-circular. The Colosseum was not so much a theatre as an arena for spectacular events.

The original Greek theatres had circular playing areas called orchestras. The theatre of Dionysus in Greece today was actually modified after the Roman influence. The audience in a Greek theatre surrounded two thirds of the circle.

Answer 4

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what is the differences between Greek theaters and Roman (Colosseum) ?

Answer 5

Greek theater design was typically amphitheater style, meaning a stage in the front, and a semicircle of seats ascending away from the stage on one side. For example, note the teatre of Dionysus, which approaches a half-circle in shape, but still has a stage on one side and seats predominantly on the other side. The colosseum is a full circle of seats around an empty arena which was dirt for gladiator-animal fights, but could be flooded for naval shows.

Answer 6

Greek Coliseum