The Roman Theatre at Bosra (Arabic: المسرح الروماني ببصرى) is a large Roman theatre in Bosra, in the district of Dar'a in south-western Syria.
It was built in either the second quarter or the second half of the second century AD, and is constructed of black basalt. It is likely that the theatre was built during the reign of Trajan.
The theatre was originally built outside the walls of the town, but was later completely enclosed by an Ayyūbid fortress. The city of Bosra had its fortifications expanded between 481 and 1251. When later integrated into the fortifications, its role was to serve as a citadel and to guard a road leading to Damascus.
The theatre is 102 metres across and has seating for about 15,000 people; it is thus among the largest of the Ancient Roman civilisation. It served a city that once had 80,000 inhabitants. It is also one of the best preserved both in Syria and across the Roman empire. It was substantially restored between 1947 and 1970, before which it contained large quantities of sand, which may have helped to protect the interior.
Source: Roman Theatre at Bosra - Wikipedia
It was built in either the second quarter or the second half of the second century AD, and is constructed of black basalt. It is likely that the theatre was built during the reign of Trajan.
The theatre was originally built outside the walls of the town, but was later completely enclosed by an Ayyūbid fortress. The city of Bosra had its fortifications expanded between 481 and 1251. When later integrated into the fortifications, its role was to serve as a citadel and to guard a road leading to Damascus.
The theatre is 102 metres across and has seating for about 15,000 people; it is thus among the largest of the Ancient Roman civilisation. It served a city that once had 80,000 inhabitants. It is also one of the best preserved both in Syria and across the Roman empire. It was substantially restored between 1947 and 1970, before which it contained large quantities of sand, which may have helped to protect the interior.
⚠ Alert
The Roman Theater at Bosra was destroyed in part by the bombardment of the city of Daraa by the Syrian army and the Russian air force.
Reports from various media and social media sources stated that since late June 2018 the Bosra theater has been affected by a series of bombings by the Syrian regime's army, Russian planes and the heavy cannons used by Iranian militia fighting alongside the Assad army south of Syria.
According to reports from various sources, Russian fighter jets targeted the fortress of the historical theater of Basra, as well as its steps, which have suffered extensive destruction to large pieces of stone seats that had stood for nearly 14 centuries without harm.
The Roman Theater at Bosra was destroyed in part by the bombardment of the city of Daraa by the Syrian army and the Russian air force.
Reports from various media and social media sources stated that since late June 2018 the Bosra theater has been affected by a series of bombings by the Syrian regime's army, Russian planes and the heavy cannons used by Iranian militia fighting alongside the Assad army south of Syria.
According to reports from various sources, Russian fighter jets targeted the fortress of the historical theater of Basra, as well as its steps, which have suffered extensive destruction to large pieces of stone seats that had stood for nearly 14 centuries without harm.
Source: Roman Theatre at Bosra - Wikipedia