This impressive theatre was constructed taking advantage of the south slope of the ancient acropolis. It dates back to the late Hellenistic or early Roman period. Being 114 metre wide and covering 14.000 square metres, it is one of the largest ancient theatres in Greece. Its capacity is estimated to 16,000. In the first period, the wooden stage had wheels and could be moved into and out of the scenotheque (stage-store).
In 78AD the permanent and fixed stage was constructed. The work was probably funded by the emperor Vespasian, whose inscrption was found nearby. The theatre underwent a series of restoration during the imperial period and the last recorded work belongs to the late 4th century under the emperor Theodosius I.
This theatre seems to have been used for theatrical and sports shows as well as for political meetings. On the eastern retaining wall of cavea the names of city officials are inscribed year by year.
Reference
- Christopher Mee & Antony Spawforth, Greece. An Oxford Archaeological Guide, Oxford/ OUP, 2001, p. 223.
- Elena Zavvou et als. Sparta : An Archaeological and General Guide. Sparta: Municipality of Sparta. 2006, pp. 19-21.
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