Theatre of Thorikos
Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού | |
Alternative name | Theatre of Thoricos, Theatre of Thoricus |
---|---|
Location | Thorikos, Attica, Greece |
Region | Attica |
Coordinates | 37°44′17″N 24°3′13.500″E / 37.73806°N 24.05375000°E |
Type | Theatre |
History | |
Founded | 7th/6th century BCE |
Satellite of | Athens |
Site notes | |
Condition | Ruined |
Ownership | Public |
Public access | Yes |
Website | [1] |
The Theatre of Thorikos (Greek: Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού), situated north of Lavrio, was an ancient Greek theater in the demos of Thorikos in Attica, Greece. It is one of the oldest known Greek theaters and it was built around 525–480 BC. The theater is unusual in its design, as it is elongated instead of the typical semicircle.[1][2]
History
The Thorikos theatre was built in several stages. The first construction phase is dated to the end of the archaic period around 525–480 BC, the theatre can be considered a very early Greek building.[3][4][5]
The special shape of the theater was previously explained by the fact that it would have been built in its entirety when the shape of theaters was not yet established. More recently, the shape is considered to be explained by the fact that expansions have been made to the theater's stand in stages over the oldest part after it's construction. The theater became elongated when it was expanded in the classical period of the 4th century BC, halfway between changes were made to it as early as 300 BC. Archaeological excavations of the theater were conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in 1886.
Structure
The ruins of the theater are located on the southern slope of the hill known today as Velatoúri. The theater stand is elongated in the middle and curves at both ends. It opens towards the southwest and its width is about 55 meters. The theater's orchestra is oval in shape and measures approximately 16 × 30 meters or approximately 443 square meters.
References
- ^ "The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites, TABERNAE (Lalla Djillalia) Morocco. , THIVERNY Oise, France. , THORIKOS Attica, Greece". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-03-19. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ^ "Ancient Theater of Thoricus". Diazoma. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ^ "The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites, TABERNAE (Lalla Djillalia) Morocco. , THIVERNY Oise, France. , THORIKOS Attica, Greece". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-03-19. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ^ "Thoricus.Theatre". www.whitman.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- ^ "Archaeological Site of Thorikos - Greek Travel Pages". www.gtp.gr. Archived from the original on 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2023-07-30.