The theatre was originally a Hellenistic theatre dating to the early Seleucid era . The Hellenistic theatre probably lies under the Roman structures of the '' ima cavea '' , '' media cavea '' , and the orchestra . The theatre was expanded and remodeled in the early Roman period , during the reign of either Julius Caesar , Augustus , or Tiberius . The theatre 's main stage was remodeled and its entrances were reorganized in a more typical Roman fashion . The 115 Antioch earthquake caused severe damage to the structure . It was rebuilt soon-after under patronage from both Trajan and Hadrian . The theatre was further expanded in the first half of the third century CE
115 Antioch earthquake
115 Antioch earthquake
Roman Theatre at Apamea