 The theatre, which was likely built during the 1st century BC and was one of the largest ever built in the Roman empire, was abandoned in the 4th century and, in the 13th century, a fortress was built on its ruins by order of King Alfonso X of Castile.The theatre featured a cavea with a diameter of more than 120 meters, and could house some 10,000 spectators.The theatre was one of the few Roman structures of ancient Hispania mentioned by classical authors, including Cicero and Strabo.