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The theatre of The Sanctuary of Asklepios
at Epidaurus
The theatre of the Asklepieion
of Epidaurus is the ideal
specimen of the achievements
and experience of the ancient
Greeks on theatre construction. It was already praised
in antiquity by Pausanias for
its symmetry and beauty. It
has the typical Hellenistic
structure with the three basic
parts: the cavea, the orchestra
and
the
stage-building
(skene). The longest radius of the cavea is 58 m. while the diameter of the
orchestra is about 20 m. The lower of the two diazomata (sections) is divided
with 13 stairways into 12 cunei (with 34 rows of benches) and the upper with
23 stairways into 22 cunei (with 21 rows of benches). The stage-building
included a main room with four pillars along the central axis, and one square
room at each end. The proskenium had a facade with 14 half-columns against
pillars. Two ramps on either side led to the stage while monumental double
gates stood at the two entrances.
The theatre was built in two stages. During the first, at
the end of the 4th century B.C., the orchestra, the lower
diazoma and the stage-building (in its "pre-hellenistic"
phase) were constructed. During the second, at the middle
of the 2nd century B.C., the cavea was enlarged at the top, and the stage
building was given its "late-hellenistic" shape. The theatre was used for
musical and poetical contests and theatrical performances.
For
centuries the monument remained covered by thick
layers of earth. Systematic excavations started in 1881
under the direction of P. Kavvadias. The cavea was
brought to light quite well preserved apart from the tiers
at the edges and the retaining walls. On the contrary, the stage was found in
ruins levelled to the ground. At the beginning of the 20th century the gate of
the western entrance and the contiguous retaining-wall were restored. Largescale works were undertaken from 1954 to 1963 for the reconstruction of the
destroyed sections and partial restoration of the monument.
The monument attracts a large number of visitors. Theatrical performances
during a Festival started in 1954 and were established the following year as
an institution of ancient drama. In 1988, the Comittee for the Preservation of
the Epidaurus Monuments, including scientists of the Ministry of Culture and
Universities, started a program of conservation works at the theatre to solve a
series of specific problems concerning the wear caused by the thousands of
visitors. For an effective protection of the stage-building from the
contemporary skenic structures, the place will be covered by an accessible
shelter.
Source : Hellenic Ministry of Culture