A Well Protected Early Hellenistic Theater in Asia Minor: The Case of the Theatre

Abstract

Theaters that lived their heyday in Athens during the Classical Period developed as an architectural building type in Asia Minor in the Hellenistic Period. Since they were continuously used with some additions during the Roman Imperial Period, determining the Hellenistic phases of these theatres in Asia Minor is problematic. Most researchers who examined the Hellenistic theaters stated that the archaeological data were too insufficient for dating, thus instead they focused on the function and architecture of the skene. The theater of Assos, a well-preserved Greek city in Asia Minor, is an important example for the Hellenistic Period. A trial trench was opened in the skene area in order to determine whether or not the theater was constructed ca. 200 BC as previously asserted. During the excavation, under the foundation walls of the skene, a destroyed house, including potteries, loom weights and other tools, was discovered. The house had been suddenly abandoned in 4^th century BC because of an earthquake, or another mandatory reason and skene was built shortly after. According to evidences, Assos theater was built earlier than its anticipated date, in other words, in Early Hellenistic Age.