[3] The theatre was originally built outside the walls of the town, but was later completely enclosed by an Ayyūbid fortress.

When later integrated into the fortifications, its role was to serve as a citadel and to guard a road leading to Damascus.

[3] The theatre is 102 metres across and has seating for about 17,000 people; it is thus among the largest of the Ancient Roman civilisation.

It was substantially restored between 1947 and 1970, before which it contained large quantities of sand, which may have helped to protect the interior.

[3] The site has been damaged in the Syrian Civil War by various military activities conducted nearby.