the structure of the theatre space

• Most famous is the theatre at Epidaurus in the Peloponnese – 15000 capacity and plays and concerts still performed there today
• Stone theatres first built in late 4th c. BC
• Before theatres made of wood – little traces still survive
• All surviving Athenian tragedies and most comedies date from 5th c. 
• No conclusive evidence as to every detail of the theatre place currently 
• Theatre of Dionysus on the SE side of the Acropolis – just above his religious sanctuary
• Remains date back to 5th c
• First built in stone in the 320s under supervision of leading Athenian statesman, Lycurgus
• Now had 17,000 spectators capacity
• Continued to be remodelled over time, - 1st and 3rd c. AD – Greece under Roman control (ruins reflect this)
• South side of the Acropolis protected from the cold north winds in the winter months
• Symbolic importance – set between the Acropolis – religious heart of the city – and the sanctuary of Dionysus below
• Street of Tripods from the theatre to the agora around the north and east sides of the Acropolis 
• Bronze tripods were set up there by festival victors as a monument to their victory