Roofed Theaters of Classical Antiquity George C. Izenour, Robert Venturi

This book explores the roofed theatre sites of classical antiquity. George Izenour examines 24 Greek, Graeco-Hellenistic, and Roman buildings. He provides architectural drawings of their probable original appearance and discusses how these huge spaces were spanned and what the precise effects might have been on sound, lighting and ventilation. Basing his discusssion on the principles of classical architecure and on his observations and site photogrpahs of ancient theatre ruins, Izenour explores the structure and design of classical roofing systems, seating systems, sight lines to the stage, lighting and acoustics. He also offers a comparison of ancient and modern roofed theatre design. In the eight appendices he addresses subjects that range from the remodeling of Graeco-Hellenistic outdoor theatres to the drop-curtain-movable-painted-scenery controversy in the Roman theatre.