Ostia Antica Theatre

Although excavated and restored up to the 20th century, the original theatre was built at the end of the first century BC by Agrippa and could hold about 3,000 viewers. The theatre was extremely essential for politics in ancient times because it became a place where the public would go and watch the shows, which became an indirect way of the emperor educating society through the performances. Public ceremonies to honor the emperor, as well as religious festivals were also held in this area. The theatre today appears to be an open air semi-circle shaped building. Looking across the theatre were gray stone benches constructed in the formation of common day bleachers leading down to a grass area at the bottom where the orchestra probably was seated, above which was were the stage used to be that housed these important performances.