Latakia-SANA
The amphitheater of the Roman theater in the city of Jableh in Lattakia is a historic archaeological metropolis and a vivid example of Roman architecture on the Phoenician coast and a witness to the nobility of this coastal city and its historical position.
The amphitheater of the Roman theater, whose construction dates back to the second century AD, acquires its architectural importance from its unique architecture in terms of organizing its steps, arches, arcades, and external facades with decorative columns, crowns and radial staircases, in addition to its use as a military fortress in several eras, according to Dr. Masoud Badawi, Director of Jableh Antiquities Department.
Badawi indicated to the SANA reporter that the Byzantines turned the amphitheater into a fortress to defend the city during the Arab-Islamic conquest of Jableh in the year 17 AH 638 AD, and it remained in this state even during the Crusader Ayyubid and Mamluk period, evidenced by the remains of fortifications, buildings and various facilities that appeared during the archaeological excavations carried out by them. General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums since 1950 AD.
Badawi explained that the amphitheater of the Jableh Theater was built on plain land with pillars and huge bases of sandstone, while the audience stands were built with limestone and in a semi-circular shape with a diameter of 90 meters and a capacity for about 10,000 spectators and built on arches and arches built of sandstone.
The amphitheater, according to Badawi, consists of the acting platform, which is located on the north side, its front wall decorated with rectangular and round niches. Only four steps, and the last steps end with a covered portico.
He also explained that the movement inside the theater and on the stairs is carried out by two main halls. The theater gives a circular shape, its width is 4 meters, its height is 10 meters, and it opens to 8 alternating doors with 9 windows through which doors enter and exit to the audience stands.
In turn, the head of the Office for the Protection of the Old City in Jableh, Engineer Israa Laila, pointed out that most of the stones of the amphitheater are still intact despite the sabotage they were subjected to as a result of the crowding of invaders and natural factors such as earthquakes, where the amphitheater still maintains its shape with most of the original construction, indicating that the Antiquities Directorate continued between 1950 and 1952. The plan to excavate and rehabilitate the site and highlight its features showed the presence of a number of tombs, while archaeological excavations are still ongoing by Belgian and German missions.
She also indicated that the construction of the theater indicates a distinguished engineering and architectural skill with the peculiarities of the Roman theaters in Syria, indicating that its historical and archaeological position made it a destination for visitors, tourists and those interested in antiquities, and it annually hosts many artistic activities and festivals.