Roman Theatre in Amman, A timeless venue for arts and history

Al Hashemi St, Amman

One of the largest ancient Roman theaters in Jordan

4.1

Introduction

The ancient Roman theater located at the foot of Castle Hill can accommodate 6000 people. It is said that the theater experience is unparalleled, and many people feel completely different after watching other Roman theaters after seeing this one. The theater was built during the reign of Antonius Pius in the 2nd century, nestled into the side of a mountain and sloping to the south. The theater is divided into three areas with side entrances parallel to the ground, one leading to the orchestra and the other leading to the stage. The seating is terraced, with the higher levels known as the "gods." Despite the distance from the stage, due to the slope of the stairs, the audience can still clearly watch the performance and listen to the music. Even if there's no time to enter the theater, the exterior can still be admired from behind the fence. At night, this area becomes a good place for citizens to take a stroll. The ancient Roman theater is still in use today, hosting the Amman International Book Fair, Amman Marathon Awards Ceremony, concerts, and even the Al Balad Independent Music Festival. Next to the amphitheater are two museums with collections of traditional costumes and tiled mosaics.