“Terminology regarding parts of a theatre has changed over time.”
Image #1: detailed
diagram of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre
(i) The orchēstra to which Comenius refers
are the middle and upper galleries.
(ii) Note [O]
which shows the location of musicians above the stage rather than, as is more
common now, in front and below the stage. Musicians’ / mintrels’ ‘galleries’ still
exist in, for example, manor houses and located above the room.
(iii) [B] is the
“yard”, the cavea to which Comenius refers; this was the area around the
stage where the ‘groundlings’ stood i.e. the cheapest part of the theatre.
(iv) [H] scaena:
stage
(v) [N] a small
curtained area (sīpārium) at the rear of the stage
(vi) [T] is the hut
containing the “machine” used to lower gods onto the stage, from which the term
deus ex machinā is derived i.e. the plot device whereby a seemingly
hopeless crisis is suddenly resolved by, for example, the unexpected
itnervention of a god or a convenient (although unlikely) event.
Images #2 - #7:
The Roman Theatre and Stadium
[i] The term amphitheātrum
is from Anc. Gk. ἀμφιθέᾱτρον [amphithéātron] < ἀμφί [amphí: on both sides) + θέᾱτρον
[théātron: theatre]
Traditional
theatre design reflects the Classical origins i.e. a central performing area
with upper seating surrounding the stage most frequently as an eliptical /
horseshoe shape. A stadium or a “theatre in the round” concept provides seating
around the performing area.
[ii] Comenius’ use
of the following terms is not the same as the way the Romans described a
theatre.
The orchēstra
is the flat semi-circular area [A] in front of [B] the cavea, the tiered
seating, shown in the image of the theatre at Bosra. The modern equivalents are
[A] the stalls, and [B] the (grand) circle or upper circles
(depending on what ticket price you can afford).
[iii] A good
example of the way in which words have changed their usage over time:
pulpitum, -ī [2/n]: the physical stage of the theatre
> Engl. deriv. pulpit (in a church)
scēna / scaena, -ae [1/f]: the physical stage or the scene being presented > Engl. deriv. scene i.e. a part of a play or the overall visual impression, but not referring to the actors’ performing area
- The English noun stage is from Old French estage (as in French étage to refer to the floor / storey of a building) < La: stō, -āre [1]: stand
[iv] proscēnium
/ proscaenium, -ī [2/n]: a low wall supporting the front edge of the raised
stage (pulpitum), often ornately decorated with niches. In a modern
theatre, the proscenium refers to the stage area between the main curtain and
the orchestra pit, the proscenium arch being the frame that divides the
stage from the auditorium.
The proscēnium
may also refer to the stage area in front of the scenery, but our
understanding of ‘scenery’ is associated with stage backdrops and items that
can be changed or moved. The image from Bosra shows that the ‘backdrop’ was an
elaborately decorated permanent background: scaenae frōns.
[v] vomitōrium, -ī [2/n]: contrary to popular belief, this was not a
place where you went to vomit! Derived from vomō, -ere [3]: spew
forth, it was a passage way below or behind tiered seats to allow actors to
enter or leave the stage, and to provide rapid access or exit for large crowds.
[vi] From: A Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (Harry Thurston Peck)
(i) “The interior
of the amphitheatre was divided into three parts —the [1] arēna, [2]
podium, and [3] gradūs. The clear open space in the
centre of the amphitheatre was called the arena, because it was covered with
sand or sawdust, to prevent the gladiators from slipping and to absorb the
blood.”
(ii)
“Above the podium
were the [3] gradūs, or seats of the other spectators, which were
divided into maeniāna, or stories. The first [4] maeniānum,
consisting of fourteen rows of stone or marble seats, was appropriated to the
equestrian order. The seats appropriated to the senators and equites were
covered with cushions – [5] pulvīllī – which were first used in the time
of Caligula. Then, after an interval or space, termed a [6] praecinctiō,
and forming a continued landing-place from the several staircases in it,
succeeded the second maeniānum, where seats were called populāria,
for the third class of spectators, or the populus.”
(iii) “Each maeniānum
was not only divided from the other by the praecinctiō, but was
intersected at intervals by spaces for passages left between the seats,
called [7] scalae or scalāria.”
[1] (h)arēna, -ae [1/f]: sand
[2] podium, -ī [2/n]: balcony in an amphitheatre and the wall enclosing it on which were chairs or seats for the
senators
[3] gradus, -ūs [4/m]: step
[4] maeniānum, -ī [2/n]: projecting gallery; balcony (of a house)
[5] pulvīllus, -ī [2/m]: little cushion
[6] praecinctiō, praecinctiōnis [3/f]: landing / lobby area between each tier
of seats
[7] scālae, -ārum [1/f/pl]: stairs; flight of steps; scālāris, -e [3]:
resembling a flight of steps
https://adckl.blogspot.com/2025/03/250325-level-3-riot-at-pompeii-tacitus.html
There was a big
bust-up in the stadium at Pompeii in AD59 between rival supporters (nothing has
changed), but it led to a number of deaths. It was so violent that Pompeii was
banned from holding events for ten years, and of such significance that a
fresco depicting the violence was produced at the time. It clearly shows the
awning around the top of the stadium. And we still use them.
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