Theatre at Philippoi

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The ancient Theatre of Philippi is a remarkable and important monument. It is located at the foot of the acropolis and it is supported on the eastern wall of the city of Philippi. 

Even though it has undergone many changes over the centuries and some interventions it still preserves many of its original elements.

The first phase of the theatre dates back in the reign of Philip II in 356 BC. At that time the orchestra was u-shaped.

During Roman colonization changes were made to the theater in order to become suitable for the requirements of the new shows. 

The orchestra was floored with marble slabs and a high wall was built to protect the spectators during beast fights. Eventually in the 3rd Century A.D. the Theatre becomes an arena for beast fights.

During the Christian times the habits and morals of the people changed so the theater was abandoned 

Nowadays, many parts of the theatre are saved untouched still many restoration works are done so the annual Philippi Festival can take place.

The excavations have brought to light ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Paleochristian period.The octagon, the Roman forum, the paleochristian basilicas and parts of the city walls, are some of the most well known.

Visiting hours

Winter Schedule:

Monday to Sunday: 08:00-15:00

Summer Schedule:

Monday to Sunday: 08:00-20:00

For more information call: 2510 516251

Theatre of Melos

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The construction of the theatre probably dates back to the Hellenistic period, but the remains visible today belong to the Roman phase of the monument. Preserved are the cavea with seven marble rows of seats, the orchestra, the floor of the stage building, and many elaborate architectural parts.

The clearing of the monument began on the initiative of king Ludwig II of Bavaria when Otto was the king of Greece, and the ruins were drawn in 1838 by French specialists.

The ancient Theatre was originally constructed by the inhabitants of the ancient city of Klima, possibly during the Hellenistic Age (3rd century BC).

However, after the destruction of the city by the Athenians in Roman times, above the preserved foundations of the classic theater, a bigger one was built made of snow-white Parian marble and remarkable bas-reliefs, which it is estimated that it had a seating capacity of 7000 spectators. This is also the shape of the theater you see nowadays.

From the theatre seven marble tiers, six rows of seats, the auditorium , the orchestra, the stage floor and a lot of architecturally elaborate parts are preserved. The excavations began in 1989, and the order for the theatre’s first cleaning was given by Ludwig II, Othon’s father, at L. Ross’s instigation, who along with Othon was the first one to visit the ancient theater in modern times.

Built on prominent spot, on the hillside, the theatre overlooks the port, the view from there is spectacular and its acoustics are very good. So, quite often theatrical performances and music happenings take place there, as in its present shape  the theater has a seating capacity of 700 spectators.

Theater of Termessos

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Immediately to the east of the agora lies the theatre. Commanding a view out over the Pamphylian plain, this building is no doubt the most eyecatching in all the Termessos plain. It displays most clearly the features of the Roman theatre, which preserved the Hellenistic period theatre plan. The Hellenistic cavea, or semicircular seating area, is divided in two by a diazoma. Above the diazoma rise eight tiers of seats, below it are sixteen, allowing for a seating capacity of some 4-5,000 spectators. A large arched entrance way connects the cavea with the agora. The southern parados was vaulted in Roman times, the northern has been left in its original open-air state. The stage building exhibits features characteristic of the 2nd century AD. A long narrow room is all that lies behind it. This is connected with the podium where the play took place, by five doors piercing the richly ornamented facade or scaenae frons. Under the stage lie five small rooms where wild animals were kept before being taken into the orchestra for combat.

As in other classical cities, an odeon lies about 100 metres from the theatre. This building, which looks like a small theatre, can be dated to the 1st century BC. It is well preserved all the way to roof level and exhibits the finest quality ashlar masonry. The upper storey is ornamented in the Doric order and coursed with square-cut blocks of stone, while the lower storey is unornamented and pierced by two doors. It is certain that the building was originally roofed, since it received its light from eleven large windows in the east and west walls. Just how this roof, which spanned 25 metres, was housed, has not been determined yet. Because the interior is full of earth and rubble at present, it is not possible to gauge either the building's seating arrangement or its capacity. Seating capacity was probably not larger than 600-700. Amid the rubble, pieces of coloured marble have been unearthed, giving rise to the possibility that the interior walls were decorated with mosaic. It is also possible that this elegant building served as the bouleuterion or council chamber.

Theatre of Sparta

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The ancient theatre of Sparta at the south side of the acropolis, is dated to the Early Imperial period. It preserves the orchestra, the retaining walls of the cavea with inscriptions of the rulers of Sparta during Roman times and part of the cavea of the large theatre. The scene was used to be wheeled in metal bars fixed to the ground. 

The ancient theater in acropolis of Sparta was always visible. It was imprinted in plans for the first time by the French Mission in Moria, who visited Sparta in 1825. It is located on the south side of the western part of the acropolis, below the sanctuary of Athena Chalkioikos, the patron goddess of Sparta. It is one of the biggest ancient theaters in Greece, with a 140-meter width.The original stone theater, whose remains is still visible, was built at the end of the Hellenistic era, in the 1st century A.D.

The present form of the theater dates back to the era of emperor Theodosius in the 4th century A.D. Its walls are made of white marble. It is estimated that the theater could seat 16000 spectators. The main theater had 9 bleachers. The koilon(auditorium) has been constructed with a mixed technique and local materials from the mountain Taygetos such as limestone and marble.

Originally, the theater had no permanent stage but a movable, wooden one, which was carried on wheels. Mostly, it was used for political, social and festive events. Later, a permanent, stony stage was constructed, which dates back to the second half of the 1st century A.D.

Τα ερείπια του Ρωμαϊκού Θεάτρου της Σπάρτης,1770

The last phase of the stage was the Corinthian and its height was 10-12meters. Because of its height the stage strengthens the acoustic of the theater. The orchestra of the theater has a horseshoe shape with a 25.52-meter diameter. In Sparta, the theater was used only for public meetings and celebrations. Original theatrical performances were not taken under consideration. The ancient theater of Sparta was used for 500 years from the end of the 1st century to the 4th century A.D.

Excavation began in 1906-10, continued in 1924-8 under A. M. Woodward and recommenced in 1992 with G. B. Waywell and J. J. Wilkes directing a University of London team.
With a Cavea width of 114 meters and an Orchestra diameter of 29,55 meters the theatre has been described as the largest in Greece, after Megalopolis, able to host 10.500 - 13.000 spectators. Below the diazoma were ten radial staircases, above it no fewer than seventeen. 

Pottery found under the upper cavea suggests a construction date around 30-20 BC. The theatre was in use till about the end of the 4th century AD, with early and late Byzantine reoccupation to the 13th century. 

In the latest (1997) excavation season a trench was dug across the west parodos at the end of the late
Roman nymphaeum excavated in 1927. Evidence was found for the channelled blocks which may have served as a runway for a moveable stage in the earlier (1st century BC) phase of the theatre. Further work was carried out in 1998.

Present status :

The whole situation is very disappointing :
* The works have stopped indefinitely.
* Many ruins have come up to plain air after the excavations.
* Kions lie around the theatre in the acropolis of Sparta.