CITY OF SALAMIS
The Theatre
The theatre to the South of the Gymnasium was
probably built in the Augustus period. The stone
from the theatre which was destroyed by earthquakes
in the 4th century was used in the construction of
baths. The theatre comprises the stage building, the
orchestra, and seating arrangements for 15 thousand
audience. The stage building had a twofold function:
it was used as a dressing room by the actors and it
provided the stage with a background.
What has
remained today from this magnificent building
ornamented with frescoes, statues and columns is the
foundation stones. In the middle of the orchestra in
the centre, there is an altar dedicated to Dionysos,
and two bases with inscriptions dedicated to Marcus
Avurelius Commedus and Caesar Maksimianus. Although
there used to be more than 50 rows of seats only
part of this has survived. The empty space in the
middle is the box for dignitaries. Part of the rows
of seats have been restored.
Salamis
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