Theatre of Dionysus

Located on the south side of the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus was dedicated to Dionysus, the Greek god of drama.

History

During early Ancient Greece, it is believed that the Athenians would have sat on the cliff side of the Acropolis, where the current theatre stands, to worship Dionysus. It is thought that during the rule of Peisistratus, the first festivals in honor of the same god were held, consisting of contests by mimes, musicians and dancers. These were the first plays in Athens.

When the Theatre of Dionysus was first built, it probably had wooden seating that were later replaced by stone. The first row was reserved for the most important citizens of Athens, who would sit on more comfortable marble seats and were next to an altar dedicated to Dionysus.

Some of the most important Greek plays of the time were first performed in this theatre, including tragedies by Sophocles, Aristophanes and Aeschylus.

Present day

Despite the passage of time, The Theatre of Dionysus still maintains its essence. It is extremely enjoyable to sit on its grandstand and imagine viewing one of the first Classic Greek plays.