![]() ![]() In simple amphitheatres, mats woven of rushes or straw served the same purpose. This was why, in the more luxurious ones, spectators were shielded from the heat of the sun or from sudden downpours by gold-embroidered awnings suspended above their seats. Having no roofs, amphitheatres were open to the sky. Some were resplendent with columns and statues, others plain and unadorned. ![]() ![]() Some amphitheatres were as big as football stadiums, others could hold no more than a few hundred people. ![]() Many such buildings were circular, others semicircular, others oval. Seats for spectators were arranged in tiers, one above the other, like steps lining the crater of a man-made volcano. Last but not least, there were theatres - or, more properly, amphitheatres.Īn amphitheater resembled a modern circus, except that it was built entirely of stone. There were towering palaces inhabited by kings and emperors there were broad streets, narrow alleyways and winding lanes there were sumptuous temples filled with idols of gold and marble there were busy markets selling wares from all over the world and there were handsome, spacious squares where people gathered to discuss the latest news and make speeches or listen to them. Long, long ago, when people spoke languages quite different from our own, many fine, big cities already existed in the sunny lands of the world. ![]()
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