Ancient Theatre of Mytilene

The Hellenistic theatre (2nd c. BC) was built at the city’s highest point, next to the inland walls, which are believed to have been a grove in antiquity. It is considered one of the ancient world’s most important theatres, as, according to Plutarch in his “Life of Pompey,” it served as the model on which the permanent stone theatres of Italy were based. Architecturally, it has the cavea for spectators, the circular orchestra for the chorus and the cult of Dionysus, the parodoi, the proskenion and a lavish two-storey stage building, Doric on the lower and Ionic on the upper level. It was entirely marble. The capacity of the horseshoe-shaped cavea is estimated at about 18,000 spectators. In the mid-2nd c. AD a tall retaining wall was built around the orchestra to protect spectators in the lower seats from violent spectacles, as the theatre by then functioned as an arena.