1. Shape and size: Greek theatres were typically built on hillsides, with a circular or semi-circular orchestra (the central performance area) surrounded by tiers of seating arranged in a horseshoe shape. Roman theatres, on the other hand, were usually built on level ground, with a rectangular or trapezoidal orchestra and a more elaborate stage building (known as a scaenae frons) at the back of the stage. Roman theatres were also generally larger than Greek theatres, with some of the largest able to hold up to 20,000 spectators.
2. Stagecraft: Greek theatre made use of simple staging, with actors performing on the orchestra floor and using minimal props and scenery. Roman theatre, on the other hand, developed more elaborate stagecraft, with the use of painted backdrops, movable scenery, and special effects such as trapdoors and cranes. Roman theatres also made use of a raised stage, which allowed for more complex staging and choreography.
3. Audience and social function: Greek theatre was a civic institution, and performances were open to all citizens. Roman theatre, on the other hand, was more commercialized and oriented towards entertainment for the upper classes. Roman theatres were often used for gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and other forms of spectacle, in addition to theatrical performances.
4. Genre and content: Greek theatre primarily consisted of tragedies and comedies, which explored serious themes such as love, loss, and political power. Roman theatre, on the other hand, saw the development of new genres such as pantomime (performed by masked actors who combined dance, mime, and acrobatics) and the Roman comedy, which was influenced by the Greek New Comedy but with a more farcical style and bawdy humour.
Overall, while Roman theatre was influenced by Greek theatre and shared many similarities with it, it also developed its own unique features and played a different role in Roman society.