Thorikos: The Oldest Known Theater in the World Lies Almost Forgotten
Just north of the ancient mining town of Lavrio, east of Athens, lies an almost-forgotten archaeological site where the oldest known theater in existence still stands proudly.
The theater of Thorikos dates to the end of the Archaic era, between 525 and 480 B.C. But that is not its only distinction. Unlike Greek theaters built in later eras, it is elliptical rather than circular in shape, and has a rectangular, rather than circular orchestra.
With twenty-one rows of seats, the theater had an impressive seating capacity of 4,000 people when it was constructed.
The few people who visit the site today can see the base of an ancient temple on the east side of the orchestra, sculpted out of the bedrock, and a room — complete with benches — also sculpted from the rock. Read more.
