Roman Theatre (Amman)

A famous landmark in the Jordanian capital, it dates back to the Roman period when the city was known as Philadelphia.

The theatre and the nearby Odeon are flanking the new Hashemite Plaza from the south and the east respectively, while the Roman Nymphaeum is just a short stroll away in north-westerly direction.

A Greek inscription on one of the pillars indicates that this theater was built in honour of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161 CE).

The large and steeply raked structure could seat about 6,000 people: built into the hillside, it was oriented north to keep the sun off the spectators.

The highest section of seats in a theatre, known in British English as "the gods", even though far from the stage, offer here excellent sightlines, while the actors can be clearly heard, owing to the steepness of the cavea.