portae hospitales : POR-tie haw-spih-TAH-less

(Latin; sing. porta hospitalis: guest doors). Two doors on either side of the central door in the Roman scaenae frons. Door on right reserved for second actor – left door for person of less importance. The word “portae” refers to domestic doors. The center door, valva regia, was the principle door reserved for royalty or the main actor. Vitruvius: “The parts of the scene are to be so distributed, that the middle door may be decorated as one of a royal palace; those on the right and left, as the doors of the guests or strangers.” Vitruvius, de Architetura, Book V.