alphpeomas

Alhpeomas are a group of ancient Greek and Roman amphitheaters built with the specific design of a combination of the Greek theater and the Roman amphitheater. The only one of these structures that remains largely intact is the Alpheios Theatre in Messenia, Greece.

The term "alhpeoma" is believed to have been used in the Renaissance to describe a combination of the Greek theater's stage and the Roman amphitheater's seating. However, this term may not be accurate or consistent with historical records. If not an actual type of theater, then "alhpeomas" could be an alternate label for a half-rounded theater or other variations on conventional designs present in the Eastern Roman provinces.

The Alpheios Theatre discovered in Messenia is one of the few examples of an alhpeoma that is well documented. The structure consists of a stage, a orchestra (a central open area), and an auditorium divided into two main levels. This configuration is similar to the Greek theater, but it also includes a record-level of seating and potentially a separate atrium.

There are problems with using the Alpheios Theatre as a single example of "alhpeoma" since it is the only confirmed one of this particular design. Historians are limited by the present state of historical records on this structure and must rely on what little information exists about it.

Scholars and historians often acknowledge that historically accurate information about the practical use and precise design of ancient theaters may not be yet fully understood.