Ancient Theatre of Philippi
AnatolikĂ MakedonĂa kai Thráki
The Ancient Theatre of Philippi, located on the southeastern slope of the acropolis hill in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, is a significant archaeological monument reflecting the city's historical phases. Originally constructed during the reign of King Philip II of Macedon in the mid-4th century BC, the theatre's earliest phase includes retaining walls supporting the seating area (koilon) and the parodoi, corridors leading to the orchestra. Initially, the orchestra had a horseshoe shape typical of Greek theatres. During Roman occupation, the theatre was adapted to suit Roman entertainments, expanding its capacity and architectural complexity. In the 2nd century AD, it gained a typical Roman form with a grand three-story stage building, a marble-paved orchestra, and an extended koilon covered by vaulted structures. The southern portico of the stage building, recently restored, bears relief plaques depicting Dionysian themes such as maenads. In the 3rd century AD, the theatre was converted into an arena for beast fights (venationes), involving demolition of the proscenium and removal of front rows of seats. A protective wall with railings was built around the orchestra to shield spectators from wild animals, and a large underground rectangular space was constructed for housing and transporting animals. A vaulted gallery (epitheatron) was added at the highest part of the koilon to increase seating capacity. By late Roman times, supporting arches were built to stabilize the theatre against the adjacent city wall. The theatre ceased functioning as a performance venue in the 5th-6th centuries AD, likely due to the rise of Christianity and changing social norms. The stage building's rear portico was repurposed as workshop space. The theatre suffered damage from a major earthquake in the early 7th century AD, initiating systematic dismantling for reuse of materials. Today, the Ancient Theatre of Philippi stands as a testament to the cultural and architectural evolution from classical Greek to Roman eras, attracting visitors interested in history and archaeology.
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Astuce: Visitors should plan to visit during spring or autumn to avoid the summer heat. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended due to the site's popularity. Guided tours provide valuable historical context. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable as the site includes uneven terrain. No specific discounts are detailed, but concessions may be available for students and seniors according to official policies.
Faits intéressants
- •The theatre's southern portico features relief plaques depicting Dionysian scenes such as maenads.
- •In the 3rd century AD, the theatre was converted into an arena for beast fights, a rare adaptation for ancient Greek theatres.
- •A large underground rectangular space was built to house and transport wild animals during the arena phase.
- •Supporting arches were added in late Roman times to stabilize the theatre against the adjacent city wall.
Histoire
The Ancient Theatre of Philippi was initially built in the mid-4th century BC during the reign of Philip II of Macedon, coinciding with the city's fortifications.
It evolved through several phases, notably adapting to Roman tastes in the 2nd century AD with major architectural additions including a three-story stage building and marble orchestra.
In the 3rd century AD, it was transformed into an arena for beast fights, reflecting changing entertainment forms.
The theatre was abandoned as a performance venue in the 5th-6th centuries AD amid the rise of Christianity and social shifts.
A devastating earthquake in the early 7th century AD damaged the structure, after which it was gradually dismantled for building materials.
Guide du lieu
Koilon (Seating Area)4th century BC - 2nd century AD
The koilon is the tiered seating area originally supported by retaining walls dating back to Philip II's era, later expanded during Roman times to accommodate more spectators.
Orchestra4th century BC - 2nd century AD
The orchestra was initially horseshoe-shaped in the Greek period and later paved with marble slabs during the Roman phase, serving as the central performance space.
Stage Building (Skene)2nd century AD
The grand three-story stage building was a hallmark of the 2nd century AD Roman reconstruction, featuring a recently restored southern portico with Dionysian reliefs.
Arena Conversion Features3rd century AD
In the 3rd century AD, the theatre was modified for venationes (beast fights), including demolition of the proscenium, removal of front seats, construction of a protective wall, and an underground animal holding area.
Contact
Téléphone: 251 051 6251