Periaktos (plural form
Periaktoi, from
Greek revolving) is a device used for displaying and rapidly changing
theatre scenes. It was first mentioned in
Vitruvius' book on
architecture,
De architectura (c. 14 BC) but its most intense use began in Renaissance theatre, as a result of the work of important theatrical designers, such as
Nicola Sabbatini (1574-1654).