Rchestra, from ὁρχὲομαι salto; signified the place where they danced; it was the lowest place in the Theatre, which was between the scene, viz. the place where the Players acted, and the Seats where the Spectators sate. It was in this place where the Greek Comedians were wont to dance.
Order, those Fabricks are said to be of different Orders, when the Proportion which is between the thickness of the Pillars and their height, with all other things which are required to this Proportion, are different.
Ornaments, Vitruvius so calls the Architrave, Frise, and Cornice.
Oval, vide Echinus.
P
Arascenium, from παρὰ and σκενὴ tentonum, is the back part of the Theatre or Scene.
Periptere, from περὶ circum, and πτὲρον ala, which has a Wing round about. This was a sort of a Temple, which had Pillars on all the four Parts, which was different from the Prostyle, which had only Pillars before, or In the Front, and from the Amphiprostyle, which had only Pillars before and behind, and none on the sides.
Peristyle, from περὶ circum, and στὺλος columna; signifies that which has Pillars round about: It differs from the Periptere in this, that the Pillars of the Peristyle are within, as it were round about a Court, and those of the Periptere are without, as in the Temples of the Ancients.
Pedestal, is that part which supports the Pillar.