In Syracuse, the group went to an archaeological park that housed a Greek theater later modified by the Romans. This theater highlighted some of the differences between Greek and Roman construction and culture. First, just like we witnessed in the other Greek theater at Segesta, this theater would have had amazing acoustics, allowing the entire audience to hear the performers clearly. And speaking of engineering, this theater was carved right out of the hillside according to the Greek custom. The Romans, on the other hand, didn’t need to do this because of their superior engineering. In general, the Romans used this skill to distinguish themselves from the Greeks with more grandiose theaters. For example, instead of the modest Greek σκηνη (scene or set), the Romans made the permanent scaenae frons, which would have blocked out the natural backdrop with its multiple stories. In the case of this theater specifically, the Roman set would have blocked out the ocean backdrop (which is ironically now blocked by trees). The Romans were also much more concerned with effects. In this theater, the Romans added a hole or trapdoor in the orchestra from which actors could make surprise entrances or various other effects could be produced. This theater helps to directly contrast Greek and Roman theater construction and practices.