Layout of the Ancient Greek Theater

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

When theaters like the Theater of Delphi were originally constructed, the performances were in the orchestra. When the skene-stage became the norm, the lower seats of the theatron were too low to see, so seats were removed so that the lowest, honored tiers, were only about 5' below the level of the stage, according to The Greek Theater and Its Drama, by Roy Caston Flickinger. This was also done to theaters at Ephesus and Pergamum, among others. Flickinger adds that this alteration of the theatron turned the orchestra into a pit with walls around it.

As you can see from the photo, the Theater of Delphi is up high, near the sanctuary, with a magnificent view.

Photo CC Flickr User tilo 2005.

1. Theater Layout
2. Orchestra & Skene
3. Pit
4. Epidauros Theater
5. Miletus Theater
6. Halicarnassus Theater
7. Fourviere Theater

Previous

• Seating at the Greek Theater at Ephesus
• The Orchestra and Skene in the Greek Theater
• The Orchestral Pit
• Theater of Epidauros
• The Theater of Miletus
• Theater of Halicarnassus
• Theatre of Fourvière

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