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Theatron

By N.S. Gill, About.com

Definition: In general, the theatron was where the audience of a Greek tragedy sat to view the performance.

A theatron could refer to the place where spectator looked at sacrifices, dances or theatrical performances. There is debate as to whether early Roman theatres had seats. A theatron came to refer specifically to semi-circular, tiered, stone seats for viewing performances.

Examples: In Cassius Dio's Epitome 68.27.3, theatron is used to refer to a gallery constructed to allow spectators to look down into a pit of vapors.
Source: "The Nature of Hadrian's Theatron at Daphne," Richard H. Chowen. American Journal of Archaeology Vol. 60, No. 3 (Jul., 1956), pp. 275-277

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