Theatre of Aspendos, Turkey
Posted by: 
Arne1
N 36° 56.322 E 031° 10.320
36S E 337213 N 4089633
The ancient city of Aspendos is located on Turkey's southern Mediterranean coast 47km from the modern city of Antalya. Its spectacularly well-preserved theatre is one of the best examples of Roman theatre construction in the world.
Waymark Code: WM9XG0
Location: Türkiye
Date Posted: 10/11/2010
Views: 23
Dimensions:
Theatron: 99w X 73 meters - 325w X 240 feet
Orchestra: 24w X 20 meters - 79w X 66 feet
Stage: 49.5w X 7 meters - 162w X 23 feet
(approximate measurements based on drafting)
Seating Capacity:
15,000 to 20,000
While there was probably an earlier ancient theatre on the site, it was completely obliterated by the Roman theatre, which was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD). A statue of the building's architect, Zeno, stands in the south parodos. The inscription under the statue records the thanks of the people for the gift of the theatre and says that Zeno was given a large garden near the stadium for his work. Inscriptions in Greek and Latin on either side of the skene read that the wealthy brothers Curtius Crespinus and Curtius Auspicatus built the theatre and dedicated it to "the Gods of the Country and the Imperial House."
In the 3rd century AD a parapet was built between the orchestra and the cavea to protect the audience from gladiatorial and wild animal shows. The theatre continued to be used through the Byzantine era and into the Seljuk Turkish period. The Seljuk leader Alaeddin Kaykabat I renovated the theatre in the 1200s AD, decorating it with painted tiles and turning it into a palace. The Seljuks built the tower-like entranceway over the central outer door of the skene, which remains today.
Most Relevant Historical Period: Roman Empire > 27 B.C.
Admission Fee: 6 EUR
Web Site: [Web Link]
Condition: Partly intact or reconstructed
Opening days/times: Not listed
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