The Roman theater of Trieste is located in Trieste at the foot of the hill of San Giusto, right in the city center, on the edge of the old city, between via Donota and via del Teatro Romano. The construction of the theater is dated at the end of the 1st century BC and enlarged at the beginning of the 2nd century AC at the behest of Quinto Petronio Modesto, a prosecutor and flamen of Marco Ulpio Nerva Traiano. At the time of its construction the theater was located outside the city walls and by the sea, which at that time reached up to that area. On its steps, built also exploiting the natural slope of the hill, could be hosted, depending on the various sources, from 3,500 to 6,000 spectators.