Theater 1

View looking south down into the orchestra area of the theater. In the center (south) is the stage area (part of a second century A.D. rebuild).

Notice that the theater is larger than a semi-circle. This "larger than and semi-circle" design is characteristic of early Greek theaters (later Roman ones were semi-circular in plan – Click Here to see one at Aspendos). This theater at Priene was built about 320 B.C. soon after the founding of the city — a little after the time Alexander the Great passed through this area.

The theater could seat 5,000 people and was used not only for cult and theatrical performances but also for meetings of the demos, the citizens, of Priene. Note the well-preserved lower course of seats surrounding the orchestra area.  These were for the officials and nobles of Priene.  Six flights of stairs that lead up into the cavea.

For a brief description of Priene and a map Click Here.