The Hellenistic theatre was first built in mid the 3rd century BC, at the beginning of the Attalid dynasty, and renovated extensively by King Eumenes II (ruled 197-159 BC). During the Roman period a stage, an imperial box and a 250 metre long Doric colonnaded terrace (where the path is visible on the right of this photo) leading to the Ionic temple of Dionysos were added.
The theatre is said to have had seating capacity of 10,000 and the cavea (seating area) was the steepest in the ancient world. Due to the limitations of the steep hillside site, the cavea could not be built wider than a semicricle as in other Greek theatres, however it was extended to 37 metres (122 ft) above the orchestra. Standing at the top, looking over the Selinus valley can be quite dizzying, and visitors should watch their step.
|
|
|
