The Roman Amphitheater at Kom el-Dikka
One of Alexandria’s top attractions is the Roman Amphitheater at Kom el-Dikka. For years, people didn’t give much thought to the old debris pile in central Alexandria. Then, in the 1960s, a decision was made to clear the land for new homes. As construction began, the Kom el-Dikka (“Mound of Rubbles”) area revealed a slew of ancient ruins buried underground, including a small Roman theater.
Today, the site is a small archaeological park with relics from Alexandria’s Greco-Roman era. In addition to the theater, you can find the ruins of a Ptolemaic temple, Roman baths, and several Roman-era villas. Excavation work on the Villa of the Birds here uncovered well-preserved 3rd-century mosaic floors that conservators have since preserved.
The Roman Amphitheater at Kom el-Dikka, also known as the Roman Theatre, is a symbol of Alexandria. It borders Horrya Street on the north, Nabi Daniel Street on the west, Abdel Moneim Street on the south, and Saphia Zaghloul Street on the east.
A Look at Amphitheaters
Amphitheaters, which were vast and majestic in structure, were named after the Greek word for “double theater.” They were open-air theaters with no curtains on the stage, usually built in semi-circular shapes. The Roman Amphitheater at Kom el-Dikka in Egypt is small, and most of the construction is in ruins. Yet, it remains an amazing historical monument from Egypt’s Roman period. The theater also has several poorly constructed galleries, which could accommodate more spectators. These galleries have 700-800 marble seats arranged around the stage. Archaeologists discovered two more archaeological sites in the strata above the Roman roadway. There was a Muslim cemetery and slums here.
The Amphitheater’s History
This Roman Amphitheater at Kom el-Dikka, which dates from the 2nd century A.D., once had a huge auditorium that measured 42m in diameter. The outside of the theater’s structure most likely had columns on many levels. However, people eventually renovated the theater, and they reduced the large auditorium to 33.5 m in circumference.After the renovation, it had 16 rows of marble chairs.
