---
title: Roman Theater, Caesarea Maritima
author: Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21687/roman-theater-caesarea-maritima/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-04-24
---
# Roman Theater, Caesarea Maritima
_Authored by [Patrick Scott Smith, M. A. ](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/patrickscottsmith1956/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21687.jpg)
## Image Caption
In his description of [Caesarea Maritima](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caesarea_Maritima/), [Flavius Josephus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Flavius_Josephus/) mentions a theater and amphitheater. With several restorations through the years, the theater, as it commands a view of the sea, is still used today. About 1 kilometer south of [Herod's harbor](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2269/herods-harbor/), its location is immediately south of Herod’s [Palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) and was connected to it. Built of local limestone, it could hold approximately 3,500-4,000 spectators.
Six vaulted corridors, decorated with columns and pillars, led into the [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/); these were accessible from the outside through a concentric corridor. The whole *cavea*, or seating area, is supported externally by two parallel semicircular walls with an internal curved passageway equipped with vaults. As the theatre is open-air, the *cavea* is divided into upper and lower sections by a *praecinctio,* or curved walkway; the lower seating area is the *ima cavea,* while the highest section is the *summa cavea*, divided into seven wedges by six stairways with 20 rows of steps, and paved in stone. Below the *cavea* is the orchestra, accessible through two entrances; with its typical semicircular shape, it reaches a diameter of about 17 meters (56 ft). The floor of the orchestra in the Herodian period was of painted stucco in red and blue, but it was later refurbished with marble.
Using archaeological reports by Ehud Netzer, Barbara Burrell, Kenneth Holum, Robert Bull, Frank Sear, and others, along with Flavius [Josephus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Flavius_Josephus/)' eyewitness descriptions, the image you see is part of the collaborative work of Lithodomos and Patrick Scott Smith.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## About the Author
Presenting research for the American Society of Overseas Research and Missouri Academy of Science and writing for the Association for the Scientific Study of Religion, Patrick Smith won the 2015 and 2024 Frank Forwood Award for Excellence in Research.
## Cite This Work
### APA
A., P. S. S. M. (2026, April 24). Roman Theater, Caesarea Maritima. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "Roman Theater, Caesarea Maritima." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 24, 2026. .
### MLA
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "Roman Theater, Caesarea Maritima." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Apr 2026, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/patrickscottsmith1956/ "User Page: Patrick Scott Smith, M. A."), published on 24 April 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.