Theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus

by Mark Cartwright
published on 24 August 2015

The theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus on the south slope of

the acropolis of Athens was first built in the 6th century BCE. Modified and
expanded over the centuries, it is the oldest Greek theatre and is the site where
some of the most famous Greek plays from antiquity were first performed.

EARLY FORM

The theatre was part of a wider sanctuary dedicated to Dionysos Eleuthereus

from the Archaic period. The cult to the Greek god of wine, merriment, and
theatre was brought to Athens via the nearby deme of Eleutherai, although it
can be traced back to Mycenaean times. A temple to Dionysos was first
constructed by Peisistratos in the 6th century CE, and a circular area of
tramped earth nearby was reserved for religious ceremonies where spectators
took their seats on the hillside. Eventually this space evolved into a purpose-
built theatre where Greek comedies and tragedies were performed, themselves
evolved from earlier religious practices which included singing, wine
drinking, animal sacrifices, and the wearing of masks. The climax of the
celebrations was the Great Dionysia held each year in March/April, during the
month of Elaphebolion, where the most famous playwrights such
as Euripides, Sophocles, and Aristophanes presented their plays in
competition.
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Theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus, Athens

5TH CENTURY BCE REMODELLING

In the 5th century BCE rows of seats were added around the performing area
(orchestra), the front rows being stone and the rest of wood. These seats
formed the first cavea which had flights of steps rising to the highest rows
thus creating cunei or wedge-shaped sections of seats. Parodoi or large
gateways were built either side of the stage giving access to spectators. A
stone rectangular stage building or skene was added at the end of the 5th
century BCE. The skene had paraskeniaor wings on each side.

Seats of the Theatre of Dionysos, Athens

4TH CENTURY BCE IMPROVEMENTS

The theatre was remodelled and made much more grandiose in 330 BCE by
the archon Lykourgos. Additional rows of seats using limestone from
nearby Piraeuswere added to the cavea, as were two extra horizontal
walkways (diazoma) between seat sections giving the theatre a capacity of up
to 16,000. The front row seats were made more comfortable with the addition
of 67 thrones carved in marble. These seats were reserved for VIP officials
who even had their names inscribed on them. One central throne in particular
was more splendid than the rest and reserved for the priest of Dionysos.
Lykourgos re-vamped the stone stage building, too. Sloping access ramps
were also added to each side of the theatre to facilitate the emptying of
the cavea after a performance. At this time three bronze statues of the great
tragedians Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles were erected at the main east
entrance.

Seat from the Theatre of Dionysos, Athens

ROMAN AGGRANDIZEMENT

In Hellenistic and Roman times the theatre continued to hold performances.

The Romans, as they did to most Greek theatres across the empire, greatly
enlarged the skene. Sulla’s attack on the city also damaged the theatre in 86
BCE but restoration work was subsequently carried out. In the 1st century
CE Nero once again added a monumental Romanesque stage building which
reduced the now marble stage area to its semi-circular form still seen today.
From this period six marble statues of Silenos, the aged companion and tutor
of Dionysos, survive which once stood on the stage.
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A low speaker’s platform (bema) was added in front of the skene in the 2nd or
3rd century CE. The bema was decorated with marble reliefs depicting myths
of Dionysos in the 5th century CE by the archon Phaidros and these, albeit
weather-damaged, are still visible today.

Sculptural Decoration, Theatre of Dionysos, Athens

LATER HISTORY

In the mid-5th century CE a Christian Basilica was constructed in the

east parodos of the theatre. In the 13th century CE the theatre was
incorporated into the Rizokastro fortification wall which ran around the base
of acropolis. Over subsequent centuries many of the acropolis monuments,
including the theatre, gradually became covered in earth fill. The theatre was
first excavated in 1838 CE by the Archaeological Society of Athens, a process
continued in the 1860s and again in the 1880s CE. Further excavation and
some restoration of the theatre were first carried out in the 1980s CE and
continue today.

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About the Author

Mark Cartwright
Mark is a history writer based in Italy. Surrounded by archaeological
sites, his special interests include ancient ceramics, architecture, and
mythology. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the
Publishing Director at AHE.

Bibliography

 Ananiades, D. Ancient Greece: Temples & Sanctuaries. (Toubis,

Athens, 2010)
 Kavvadias, G. & E. Giannikapani. South Slope of the
Acropolis. (Hellenic Ministry of Culture, 2004)
 Papathanassopoulos, G. The Acropolis. (Krene, 2006).
 Servi, K. The Acropolis. (Ekdotike Athenon, 2011).

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