Theatre of Dionysus

This is the world’s oldest theatre in Athens and in the 5^th century BC it was home to the annual spring drama festival. The likes of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes presented their plays for critique and competition in front of 17,000 spectators during this time. The seats in the front row were constructed like elaborate thrones with carved legs and even armrests. These seats were sold to the wealthy and inscribed with their names to reserve their place.

The raised stage was constructed under the Roman emperor Nero in 61 AD in Athens. However, after the 4th century, the theater was no longer used and fell into disrepair but was rediscovered in 1765. Major restoration efforts were conducted until the late 1800s.