Diagram of the Theater

Diagram of the Theater

A diagram of a typical Roman Theater—like the one at Caesarea.  Note the five parts that are featured on the diagram: Scaena, Scaena frons, Cavea, Orchestra, and Vomitorium.  This diagram presents the theater as it would have appeared in the second and third centuries.

Note that because of the scaena frons the audience would not have been able to see the Mediterranean Sea nor the Promontory Palace from their seats in the theater.


The theater was first constructed by Herod the Great (37 to 4 B.C.) and went through many modifications until it went out of use in the sixth century A.D.  Herod Agrippa I (r. 39–44) may have been struck with an illness that led to his death in this theater (or possibly in the circus; Acts 12:19-23; Josephus Ant. 19.343-52 [8.2]).