South Theatre, Roman theatre in Jerash, Jordan
The South Theatre is a Roman theatre in Jerash that was built into a hillside using the natural slope for its tiered stone seating. The structure demonstrates Roman construction techniques with its carefully arranged rows of seats that follow the curved slope of the terrain.
The theatre was built around 90 AD when Emperor Domitian ruled, funded by wealthy citizens of Gerasa who contributed money to complete the construction. The project reflected how local elites invested in grand structures for their community.
The seating sections reflected social divisions of the time, with the lowest tier closest to the stage reserved for the most important people while ordinary visitors sat higher up. These distinctions shaped how audiences experienced performances together.
Visitors could enter through large gates and tunnel passages that helped distribute crowds to their assigned seating areas. This design made it easier for many people to find their places without creating bottlenecks.
The theatre faced north, which meant spectators sat in shade and avoided the intense afternoon sun during performances. This practical consideration showed how builders thought through the details of visitor comfort.
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