Page 30 - RD_2015_12

Miletus, Turkey

It seated approximately 14,000 persons. Caesarea (modern Israel) Herod was an admirer of Greek
Unlike most ancient theatres, it appears Herod the Great (73BC-4BC) architecture and he built the theatre in
to have changed little over time. It is named this port city, once the capital of the Greek style.
famous for its acoustics. Judea, in honour of the Roman Today the city is known as Qisayra.
Excavation works commenced at Emperor Caesar Augustus. The theatre is at the southern end of the
the site in 1881. The theatre was then city.
partially restored between 1954 and
1963. Nowadays, it is used during
summertime to perform the dramas of
Aeschylus and Sophocles and the other
greats. A wonderful outcome!
Miletus, Turkey
Situated south of Ephesus, Miletus
in the sixth century BC, was the
greatest Greek city of Asia Minor. The
theatre of Miletus was constructed in
the fourth century BC then modified in
both the Hellenistic and Roman
periods.
The Romans increased its seating
capacity from 5,300 to 20,000. It
survives as the most stunning Greek
theatre of Asia Minor. Inscriptions can
still be seen on some of the front seats
to indicate their ancient owners.
The auditorium was 40 metres high
and the stage was 140 metres wide.
Herod's tribute to Greek architecture; the theatre at what is now Qisayra, Israel.

30 2006 CINEMARECORD