South Theatre | Jerash

Information

Landmark: South Theatre
City: Jerash
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

South Theatre, Jerash, Jordan, Asia

The South Theatre is a 2nd-century Roman performance venue located in the ancient city of Gerasa, modern-day Jerash. It is situated on a hill south of the Temple of Zeus, overlooking the city's main colonnaded streets and the Oval Plaza.

Visual Characteristics

The semi-circular auditorium consists of two tiers of limestone seating with a capacity for 3,000 spectators. The lower tier contains 14 rows of stone benches, while the upper tier is accessed through vaulted passages known as vomitoria. The stage backdrop, or scaenae frons, features two stories of ornate niches and Corinthian columns carved from local golden-hued limestone.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located within the Jerash Archaeological Park, 50km north of Amman via the Jerash Highway (Route 15). Visitors enter through Hadrian’s Arch and the Hippodrome to reach the South Theater, which is approximately an 800-meter walk from the main Visitor Center parking lot. Private vehicles and tour buses use the designated paved parking area outside the South Gate.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction was completed between 90–92 CE during the reign of Emperor Domitian, as evidenced by Greek inscriptions found on the site. The theatre was designed to host theatrical performances and civic gatherings for the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. The structure is built into the natural slope of the hillside to provide structural stability and acoustic enhancement.

Key Highlights & Activities

Walking to the top row of the cavea provides a panoramic view of the Oval Plaza and the Cardo Maximus. Local bagpipe performers frequently demonstrate the theatre's acoustics from the center of the orchestra floor. Guided walking tours of the ruins typically include the theatre as a primary stop for examining Roman engineering.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Public restrooms and a small ticket verification booth are located near the South Gate entrance. The theatre itself offers no permanent shade for spectators, though the vaulted entryways provide temporary relief from the sun. 4G cellular signal is strong throughout the open-air seating area. Water and souvenir vendors operate at the entrance to the archaeological park, but not inside the theatre itself.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is early morning (08:00–10:00) or late afternoon (16:00 until sunset) when the low sun accentuates the textures of the limestone carvings. Spring (March to May) provides the most temperate weather for walking the unshaded site. The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts utilizes the stage for performances during the summer months.

Facts & Legends

The theatre features a sophisticated numbering system where Greek letters are carved into the seats to denote specific sections, acting as an ancient ticketing system. A specific acoustic "sweet spot" at the center of the stage allows a person speaking at a normal volume to be heard clearly by a listener in the furthest row of the upper tier.