Roman theater in Side (southern Turkey), which was built in the 2nd century CE and was able to seat 15,000 spectators.
The building was built on the remains of a former Hellenistic theater. The theater consisted of a stage, a 6-meter-wide podium with rich reliefs on the wall and an orchestra. Over time, theatrical plays have declined in popularity at the expense of gladiators and wild animal shows. For this purpose, the building was appropriately adapted for these entertainments – a thick wall was built separating the spectators from the orchestra.
In the 4th century CE the scene became part of the walls that led through the city. In the 5th century the building was transformed into an open church.
