On top of the Citadel it’s possible to view all the grandiosity of the roman amphitheater of Amman and realize the importance of this building of the 2nd century A.D., ingrown on a hill deliberately chosen to protect the spectators from the sun.
The amphitheater of Amman is a beautiful remaining of this so classic institution of the Greek-Roman world.
With room for six thousand people, it was divided in sectors destined to three castes: the noble stayed in the lower section, close to the actors. For the emperor and the rulers, a place was especially reserved in the lower section, centered to the stage offering the perfect view.
In the upper section, destined to the medium caste, was where the military and probably the merchants stayed. The last sector, the highest and furthest from the stage, was destined to the people in general.
The speeches from the actors, though, was audible in any part of the amphitheater, even in the highest levels, thanks to the acoustic projected to attend to all the sectors of the building.
The higher part of the amphitheater was figured with statues and sculptures of gods.
On the sides of the stage, there were support rooms for the show, where the musicians, actors and helpers stayed.
Even today, at the current Amman, the amphitheater is used sporadically for cultural events, like great operas.
In front of the amphitheater, tall columns still remain as the only remains of an extinct Roman forum.
(This post is an excerpt from my book “Jordan´s Historical Treasures”, from 2014, ISBN 978-85-67911-01-4)
Photos, video and text by Marcelo Ozorio
Marcelo Ozorio at Roman Amphitheater of Amman – Jordan
