The Theatre of Dionysus @ The Acropolis in Athens, Greece (Thu June 21, 2007)
The Theatre of Dionysus at the Acropolis in Athens features both statues and steps, reflecting its history as a site for theatrical performances and civic gatherings. The theater includes tiered seating with marble seats for officials and priests, and the stage area was once adorned with statues of Dionysus and other figures.
Statues:
Statues of Dionysus:
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Two archaic-style statues of Dionysus, possibly used as altars or for votive offerings, were placed at the ends of the retaining walls of the parodoi (entrances).
Statues of Playwrights:
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Statues of the great tragic poets Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were erected in the theater.
Statues of Silenoi:
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Six marble statues of Silenoi, companions of Dionysus, once stood on the stage.
Bema of Phaidros:
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The bema, a low speaker's platform, was decorated with reliefs depicting myths of Dionysus.
Steps:
Seating:
The theater was designed with tiered seating, originally wooden but later rebuilt in stone. The lower section had 13 sections separated by steps, with 32 rows of seats.
Inscribed Seats:
Inscribed marble seats were reserved for officials and priests.
Exit Access:
The design of the theater included a widening of the space in front of the thrones, possibly to allow for easier exits.
Street of the Tripods:
The Street of the Tripods, leading to the theater, was lined with monuments where bronze tripods (prizes from dramatic contests) were displayed.
The Theatre of Dionysus is a significant historical site that reflects the evolution of Athenian theater and civic life, with its statues and steps telling a story of performance, religious practice, and social organization.
https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr