Saturday, 20 August 2016

Theatre at Ancient Aptera


 It is amazing to think that 2000 or so years ago, around the time of Christ, up at the - even then- ancient site of Aptera near Souda the inhabitants were enjoying evenings of theatre.

The North entrance to Aptera. First mention of Aptera was in linear B writings found at Knossos, dating from 14th/13 century BC


Other than the buildings I expect this view would be recognizable to those who lived there so long ago!


Theatre buildings

The theatre dates from the Roman era. One of  the governors of Crete at this time was Publius Sulpicius Quirinius and was a close associate of Tiberius Caesar.

Some of the terracing has been restored - it is easy to identify that from the original seating





Fred finds the "sweet spot"

Whose works were performed?





Imagine watching the spectacle


behind the amphitheatre you can see the geometrically terraced walls




This area was where the audience  - and actors too probably- would sit before the performance to gossip and chat. Perhaps there would have been food and drink vendors too.

How many feet have trod these paving slabs on the way to the seating in the theatre?




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