Full text: Vitruvius: The civil architecture of Vitruvius

151 
CHAP VIII. 
OF THE THEATRE OF THE GREEKS. 
IN the Greek theatre the mode of construction is, in some 
respects, dissimilar to that which obtains in the Roman; for 
instead of four equilateral triangles, which are inscribed in 
the circle of the orchestra of the Roman theatre, the Greeks 
made use of three squares, whose angles touch the periphery. 
That side of one of the squares which is nearest to the 
intended situation of the scene determines the extent of the 
proscenium: and a line drawn parallel to it through the 
point of curvature most distant from the auditory marks the 
front of the scene. A diameter of the circle is drawn 
parallel to the front of the proscenium intersecting the 
circle in two points: these are assumed as centres, from 
which arcs are described, extending from the extreme points 
of the diameter to the front of the proscenium. Thus the 
orchestra of the Greek theatre, described with three centres, 
is more spacious than that of the Roman; the scene more 
distant, and the pulpitum, which is termed logeion, is less 
in width. For with the Greeks dramatic performances 
alone are exhibited on the stage, and all other theatrical 
representations take place in the orchestra: whence it is
	        
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