Smith, William: A smaller dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities (London, 1871)

THEATRUM.

373

THENSAE.

come acquainted with the theatres of the
Italian Greeks at an early period, whence
they erected their own theatres in similar
positions upon the sides of hills. This is
still clear from the ruins of very ancient
theatres at Tusculum and Faesulae. The
Romans themselves, however, did not possess
a regrilar stone theatre until a very late

stone theatres, as the introduction of Greek
customs and manners was less strongly
opposed in them than in the city of Rome
itself. Wooden theatres, adorned with the
most profuse magnificence, were erected at
Rome even during the last period of the
republic. In u. c. 55 Cn. Pompey built the
first stone theatre at Rome, near the Cam-

period, and although c |7s and is

tions were very popular;
appears that a woodei|
when necessary, and w
down again, and the p
Terence were performdj
scaffoldings. In the
the neighbouring towns— CM

----. -------„

ambassadors, which ar«;
selliorum ordo. In is. I:
Roscius Otho carried a 1;
the places in the theatrl:

— u