Ancient Theatre

The ancient theater of Thassos is built inside a natural cavity of the hill and leaning against the wall; according to Hippocrates, it must have been built here as early as the 5^th century B.C.

The beginning of the 3^rd century B.C. saw the building of the scene (stage) with a marble front. The proscenio (forestage) was dedicated by the Thassian Lysistratos, son of Kodes, to Dionysus. A whole pillar and various other sections of the forestage are saved to this day. Back then, the theater was used for theatrical and musical performances.

Later on, in the Roman era, the orchestra pit and the edolia (rows of seats) were renovated. On several seats one can still see inscribed names, which indicates that people used to reserve their seats.

After the 1^st century A.D., the theater was used for "hunts" and gladiatorial combats. Among the usual combats, there were also combats between pairs of riders. The orchestra pit was turned into an arena and, in mid-2nd century A.D., Eragoras, son of Eufrillos, raised a parapet of railings, the bottom of which was embedded into marble slabs, to protect the audience from wild beasts. On one of those slabs, one can still see the carved name of a benefactress, Espani, who later on commanded in her last will and testament that hippodrome festivities be celebrated in her memory every year in Thessaloniki.

Right around that time, the forestage also hosted figures of the highly esteemed ancient gods: Dionysus treating his panther to the last drops of wine from a kantharus (small vessel similar to modern glasses), the Riding Hero, Aries in his helmet and chest armour (the first figure is currently on display in the Museum of Thassos and the last one in the Museum of Constantinople). The kionostichia (row of pillars) hosted, on its edges, a figure of Nemesis (created at the expense of gladiator Evimeros, son of Dionysius), as well as some other figures, again depicting Nemesis, created at the expense of other gladiators (two of these are currently on display in the Museum of Constantinople).

Vatrachi (means Frogs), Festival 2006, Ancient theatre in Limenas, Thassos.

Vatrachi, Festival 2006, Ancient theater in Limenas, Thassos

Vatrachi, Festival 2006, Ancient theater in Limenas, Thassos