The Roman Theatre is situated in a general area called Kom el Dikka, which has become the city's largest archaeological park. Built in the IV century AD, it remained in use until about the VII century AD, or about the time of the Arab invasion. It was discovered during the 1960s when a government building was planned for this location over the ruins of a Napoleonic fort that had earlier been destroyed. However, during excavation, the ruins of the Roman theatre were found.
The amphitheater consists of thirteen gray and white marble levels of terraces that lead down to the arena. Its buttressed wall was designed in a semicircular style to act as a passageway that ran beneath the early theater.
The theatre has seating, elevated towards the rear part, in the shape of a horseshoe. There are thirteen rows of white and gray marble seats, except for the first row which was made of red granite to give strength to the structure. The marble was imported from Europe (probably Italy). It could hold up to 800 people. The step seating of the Roman Theatre was built upon a thick limestone wall with another brick wall surrounding that one. The two walls were linked.
