The′ater. The first theater in Greece, the birthplace of the drama, is said to have been a wagon. The plays of Æschylus were represented on a wooden scaffold. About 500 B. C. one of these scaffolds gave way, and the inventive Athenians at once set about building the famous stone theater of Dionysus. Similar theaters were built in every Greek city, and the ruins of many may be seen to-day. The largest is at Ephesus, and was 660 feet across. These theaters were built with seats in semicircular rows rising one behind and above the other, and were often cut out of solid rock. In the center, at the lowest point, stood the orchestra, in front of the proscenium or stage, back of which was a solid wall, called the scene, ornamented with pillars and cornices. There was no roof, but an awning kept off the sun's rays, for the plays were always given in daytime. The Romans, who took the best of everything the Greeks had, built similar theaters of the greatest magnificence, besides their huge amphitheaters. Both in Athens and Rome the theaters were built large enough to seat almost all the citizens, who generally attended in a mass at the expense of the government, for from the time of Pericles plays were made free to all. To enable these audiences of 80,000, 100,000 or more to hear, the actors wore masks with mouthpieces which answered the purpose of speaking-trumpets. Female characters were represented by boys, and it was not till the 17th century that actresses were allowed on the French and English stages. In the middle ages the miracle-plays were played in cathedrals.
THEATER OF SEGESTA, SICILY — RESTORED
The modern theater dates from the 16th century, the first ones being built at Vicenza and Venice. The famous Palais Royal at Paris was built by Cardinal Richelieu in 1639. The first English playhouse was the London theater, built in 1576. About the same time were built the Curtain, Blackfriars and Whitefriars. The first theater in America was opened at Williamsburg, Va., in 1752. The largest and finest theater in the world is the Grand Opera-House of Paris. In China and Japan every little village has its theater. See Amphitheater, Drama and Miracle-Plays.