Theater 2

A view of the remains of the theater at Nicea/Iznik that is located in the southeast quadrant of the city.

The semi-circular form of the theater is clearly visible as is the large "orchestra" area.

Note the foundation of rows of seats that are visible in the cavea. The marble/limestone coverings of the seats were robbed out in ancient times and used elsewhere.  Because of the lack of a hill, the seating area was built over a series of vaults and corridors—left side of the image.

It seems that the theater was constructed during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan (r. A.D. 98-117).  Some say the theater could hold 15,000 people, but it doesn't seem that large.  It had been filled with twenty-plus feet of debris before excavation.