PERFORMANCE
ART
JERASH’S SOUTH THEATER is one of the most remark-
able of all Roman theaters in the ancient world.
With the capacity to hold 3,000 spectators, it was
erected at the end of the first century A.D. during
the reign of Emperor Domitian and was embel-
lished and remodeled by his successors, Trajan
and Hadrian. Located near the hill of the Temple of
Zeus-Jupiter, the theater displays typical Roman
features: an orchestra (lower stage) and three clas-
sical entrances of the skené (scene house) behind it.
Seated according to their social status, spectators
could use theatergoing to show off their wealth.
Many of the theater’s running costs were paid for by
the rich. An inscription notes that one T. Flavius paid
3,000 drachmas for the installation of a section
of seating. Through such patronage, the wealthy
secured themselves the best seats as well as their
own entrance, separate from that used by the rank
and file. The common viewers entered by a different
access known as a vomitorium (so
named because it “vomited” peo-
ple out after the spectacle ended).
Performances were popular with
travelers who would be impressed
by the splendor of Jerash’s sophis-2 tication so far from Rome.^
IVAN VDOVIN/AGE FOTOSTOCKA YOUNG FLUTE PLAYER DEPICTED IN RELIEF,
FROM THE SOUTH THEATER AT JERASH38 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019