... words theatre and amphitheatre derive from the Greek word theatron, which referred to the wooden spectator stands erected on those hillsides Similarly, the word orchestra is derived from the Greek ... after years of religious dicta ancient Athens resembled Renaissance England, which not coincidentally spawned the next great era in theatre In essence, the ancient Athenians had begun to question ... and the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens The Theatre of Dionysus, built at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, could seat 17,000...