Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[[Latin]] amphitheatrum, from [[Greek]] amphitheatron, from amphi- (around) + theatron (a place for viewing)  

[[Latin]] amphitheatrum, from [[Greek]] amphitheatron, from amphi- (around) + theatron (a place for viewing)  

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 : an oval or [[circular]] building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open [[space]] and used in ancient [[Rome]] especially for contests and [[spectacle]]s

*1 : an oval or [[circular]] building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open [[space]] and used in ancient [[Rome]] especially for contests and [[spectacle]]s

*3 : a place of [[public]] [[entertainment]] (as for [[games]] or concerts)

*3 : a place of [[public]] [[entertainment]] (as for [[games]] or concerts)

==Description==

==Description==

An '''amphitheater''' is an open-air venue for [[spectator]] sports, concerts, rallies, or theatrical [[performances]]. There are two similar, but distinct, [[types]] of [[structure]] for which the word 'amphitheatre' is used: Ancient amphitheatres, built by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome ancient Romans], were large [[central]] [[performance]] spaces surrounded by [[ascending]] seating, and were commonly used for spectator sports; these [[compare]] more closely to modern open-air stadia. They were given this name because their shape resembled that of two theatres joined together. Modern amphitheatres (incorrectly so named, but the [[word]] has come to be used in this sense) are more typically used for theatrical or concert [[performances]] and typically feature a more [[tradition]]ally theatrical-style stage with the [[audience]] only on one side, usually at an arc of less than a semicircle; these compare more closely to the theatres of ancient [[Greece]], and have been more commonly built throughout [[history]] as [[performance]] spaces. Amphitheatres are typically man-made, though there are also [[geological]] formations used in the same [[manner]] which are known as [[natural]] amphitheatres. Special [[events]] and games were held in ancient [[Roman]] amphitheatres, such as the gladiator [[games]].

An '''amphitheater''' is an open-air venue for [[spectator]] sports, concerts, rallies, or theatrical [[performances]]. There are two similar, but distinct, [[types]] of [[structure]] for which the word 'amphitheatre' is used: Ancient amphitheatres, built by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome ancient Romans], were large [[central]] [[performance]] spaces surrounded by [[ascending]] seating, and were commonly used for spectator sports; these [[compare]] more closely to modern open-air stadia. They were given this name because their shape resembled that of two theatres joined together. Modern amphitheatres (incorrectly so named, but the [[word]] has come to be used in this sense) are more typically used for theatrical or concert [[performances]] and typically feature a more [[tradition]]ally theatrical-style stage with the [[audience]] only on one side, usually at an arc of less than a semicircle; these compare more closely to the theatres of ancient [[Greece]], and have been more commonly built throughout [[history]] as [[performance]] spaces. Amphitheatres are typically man-made, though there are also [[geological]] formations used in the same [[manner]] which are known as [[natural]] amphitheatres. Special [[events]] and games were held in ancient [[Roman]] amphitheatres, such as the gladiator [[games]].

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]