vomitoria

A vomitory is an entrance that pierces the seating banks of a theater, amphitheater, or stadium, allowing spectators to enter and exit. The term comes from the Latin vomitorium, meaning "to disgorge," referring to how it releases people.1

In Roman theater design, vomitories were crucial for managing large crowds. They were integrated into the structure of stone theaters, allowing for efficient movement of people within the auditorium. This design principle was also applied to stadiums, which evolved from Greek U-shaped structures to Roman circuses and enclosed amphitheaters, all designed to accommodate many spectators.23