Timeline for the Theatre at Aphrodisias, Turkey
a2700 BC
evidence of prehistoric settlements (Bronze Age)
300s BC
probable date of early theatre construction (Hellenistic)
38 -28 BC
theatre renovation by J. Iulius Zoilos under Octavian; renovation included a three-story stage building with a logeion, proskenion, and decorated scaenae frons (Roman)
40-68 AD
additions and renovations by A. Molossos: an entrance, the two parodoi (side entrance into the orchestra of the theater), the analemmata (retaining walls) of the cavea, and possibly the third set of seats above the second diazoma (horizontal walkway separating sections of cavea seating). This enlarged cavea was furnished with marble seating and could accommodate approximately 10,000 people. (Roman)
161-180 AD
renovations under Marcus Aurelius: orchestra was expanded by removing the first two or three rows of seats, and a high wall was built around the orchestra with wood or iron railings on top to protect spectators in the front rows. A Tibunalia (seat of honor) was built in the lower cavea. (Roman)
610-641AD
the theater collapsed in an earthquake during the reign of Herclius and was never repaired (Roman)
700-1081 AD?
- site was used as a fort during the Byzantine period, and later houses were built on top of the rubble (Byzantine)
1904
Paul Gaudin excavations (French)
1905-1913
- French excavations
1937-1939
Giuolo Jacopi excavations (Italian)
1961-1990
Dr. Kenan Erim began excavating the site under the auspices of New York University
1966
National Geographic Society grant funds theater excavation project
1976
first phase of the theatre's excavation completed
1988
reconstruction of stage building begins
1990
death of Dr. Kenan Erim
1991-present
research and excavation continues under the direction of Christopher Ratté, Associate Professor of Classics and Fine Arts at New York University and R.R.R. Smith, Lincoln Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Oxford
Basic Timeline for Turkey Mycenaean Period ca. 1500 - 1200 BC
Late Roman Empire ca. AD 293 - 395
Phrygian, Uratian, Lydian Period ca. 1200 - 542 BC
Early Byzantine Period ca. AD 395 - 610
Persian-Classical Period ca. 542 - 333 BC
Middle Byzantine Period ca. AD 610 - 961
Early Hellenistic Period ca. 333 - 167 BC
Late Byzantine Period ca. AD 961 - 1176
Late Hellenistic Period ca. 167 BC - AD 43
Seljuk Turkish Period ca. AD 1176 - 1299
Early Roman Empire ca. AD 43 - 162
Ottoman Turkish Period ca. AD 1299 - 1922
Middle Roman Empire ca. AD 162 - 293
Modern Turkey ca. AD 1922 - present
Copyright © 2003 Thomas G. Hines, Whitman College. All Rights Reserved.