Aegeira (modern Egira, Greece)

Aegeira, (Greek: Αιγείρα) (IPA: [eˈʝira], Ancient Greek: Αἰγείρα or Αἴγειρα, Latin: Aegeira)

Modern Egira, Greece

Greek / Roman Theatre

280-250 BCE

38.12868132180465, 22.37802345626187

3,000 - 4,000

Cavea Width: 46 meters
Orchestra Width: 12 meters

The Theatre at Aegeira (modern Egira, Greece); located in northern Peloponnese; 46m cavea width; 12 rows divided into 11 cunei; faces northeast; approximately 3,000-4,000 capacity; 14.40m orchestra diameter; constructed first half of 3rd century BCE; lower scene building and cavea seats well-preserved. (Sear 385)

Aegeira Theatre (modern Egira, Greece)
Aegeria Theatre Panoramas

Introduction

The ancient theatre of Aegeira is located in the northern Peloponnese region of Greece, in Achaia. It sits on the north side of Palaiokastro hill near the Corinthian Gulf shore (GPS: 38.12868132180465, 22.37802345626187) (Sear 385). This structure was integral to ancient Aegeira, a member of the Achaean League during the Hellenistic period (Walter). The theatre’s position offered views of the Corinthian Gulf and connected to other civic structures, including a small temple on its eastern side (Gogos).

History

Constructed during the first half of the 3rd century BCE (Hellenistic period), the theatre at Aegeira coincided with the rise of the Achaean League (Sear 385). Archaeological evidence, primarily coins and ceramics, indicates a significant rebuilding during the Hadrianic period (117-138 CE) (Alzinger). This renovation exemplifies the Roman practice of adapting Greek structures while respecting original designs (Gogos).

The theatre would have hosted traditional Greek dramatic performances, musical competitions, and religious festivals. During the Roman period, programming likely expanded to include mime performances and potentially gladiatorial contests (Walter).

Theatre Specifications

The following specifications are drawn from Frank Sear’s reference book, Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study, Oxford University Press, 2006, except where otherwise noted.

Location

• GPS coordinates: 38.12868132180465, 22.37802345626187
• Orientation: Northeast-facing
• Position: North side of Palaiokastro hill close to shore
• Topography: Central cavea cut from natural hillside rock

Cavea

• Diameter: 46 meters
• Height: 9.30 meters (from orchestra to top row)
• Seating: Ima cavea had 12 rows divided into 11 cunei
• Dimensions: Seats 0.33m high, 0.65-0.72m deep
• Division: Praecinctio (walkway) separated ima from summa cavea
• Upper section: Summa cavea extended about two-thirds around orchestra
• Structural details: Converging analemmata (retaining walls)
• Estimated capacity: 3,000-4,000 spectators (Gogos)

Substructures

• Central cavea cut from bedrock
• Support structures necessary for lateral sections

Orchestra

• Diameter: 14.40 meters
• Features: Surrounded by drainage channel
• Roman addition: Two vaulted drainage channels under scene building

Parodoi

• Western wall: 13.70 meters long
• Eastern wall: 13.80 meters long
• Roman modification: Parodoi vaulted over

Proscaenium

• Hellenistic height: 2.67 meters
• Support: Nine Doric columns
• Function: Performance backdrop in original Greek design

Stage

• Hellenistic: 15.40m long, 2.90m wide; accessible by side ramps
• Roman: 16.70m long, 5.65m wide; 0.80m preserved height
• Features: Central staircase, two curved niches, two lateral staircases
• Hellenistic scene building: 15.40m long, 8.50m wide

Scaenae Frons

• Roman construction: Massive wall (1.60m thick) built on line of old scene building
• Design: Six piers creating five rectangular niches
• Central feature: Regia (central door) framed by central pair of projecting piers
• Side entrances: Hospitalia (side doorways) framed by end pairs
• Column arrangement: Likely two stories (based on found Doric column drums and cornice fragments)
• Support: Two sets of three piers across middle of scene building for roof support
• Side rooms: Incorporated into Roman scene building
• Unique feature: Oblique side walls, likely due to adjacent temple

Decoration

Archaeological excavations uncovered architectural decoration fragments, including Doric column drums and cornice fragments from the scaenae frons (Gogos). Decoration likely followed Hellenistic and Roman theatrical styles, possibly including marble revetments and relief sculptures, though specific details remain undocumented (Sear 386).

Current Status

The theatre is relatively well-preserved, particularly the lower scene building courses and cavea seats (Sear 385). Unlike more prominent Greek theatres, it has not undergone extensive restoration and does not host regular performances (Gogos). While accessible to visitors, it attracts fewer tourists than famous sites like Epidaurus. It remains valuable for understanding the transition from Hellenistic to Roman theatrical architecture (Alzinger).

Renovations

The theatre transitioned from Hellenistic to Roman design during the Hadrianic period (117-138 CE) (Alzinger). Key changes included:

1. Vaulting over the parodoi (Sear 385)
2. Adding vaulted drainage channels under the scene building (Sear 385)
3. Expanding the stage width (from 2.90m to 5.65m) (Gogos)
4. Constructing a scaenae frons wall with niches and piers (Sear 385)
5. Adding curved niches and staircases to the stage (Sear 385)
6. Adding a second story to the column arrangement (Gogos)

These renovations reflect typical Roman adaptations of Greek theatres, emphasizing the decorated architectural backdrop and expanding the stage for Roman performances (Alzinger).

Archaeological Excavations

Austrian archaeologists have led the investigation of Aegeira’s theatre. Initial excavations by O. Walter were documented in 1919 (Walter). W. Alzinger conducted more extensive excavations between 1971-1984, publishing findings in Österreichische Jahreshefte (Alzinger).

The most comprehensive archaeological work at the theater occurred between 1982 and 1988, led by Savas Gogos. These excavations uncovered the theater’s primary structural components and established its chronology (Gogos, “Das Theater von Aigeira” 112). Gogos produced the definitive study in his 1992 monograph “Das Theater von Aigeira: Ein Betrag zum antiken Theaterbau” (Sear 385). (Gogos).

Additional investigations between 2000 and 2004 under the direction of Georg Ladstätter further clarified architectural details and renovation phases (Ladstätter and Sokolicek).

Bibliography / Resources:

Aegeira Theatre Panoramic Images

Alzinger, Wilhelm. “Grabungen 1971–1972.” *Österreichische Jahreshefte*, vol. 50, 1975, pp. 9–16.

Alzinger, Wilhelm. “Grabungen 1973–1974.” *Österreichische Jahreshefte*, vol. 51, 1977, pp. 30–34.

Alzinger, Wilhelm. “Grabungen 1978–1981.” *Österreichische Jahreshefte*, vol. 53, 1982, pp. 8–15.

Alzinger, Wilhelm. “Grabungen 1983.” *Österreichische Jahreshefte*, vol. 55, 1984, pp. 13–18.

Bulle, Hugo. *Untersuchungen an griechischen Theatern*. Beck, 1928, pp. 255–259.

Dilke, Oswald A. W. “Details and Chronology of Greek Theatre Caveas.” *Annual of the British School at Athens*, vol. 45, 1950, pp. 51–53.

Gogos, Spyridon. “Das Theater von Aegeira: Ein Beitrag zur Chronologie des peloponnesischen Theatergebäudes.” *Klio*, vol. 68, 1986, pp. 5–50.

Gogos, Spyridon. “Zur Typologie vorhellenistischer Theaterarchitektur.” *Österreichische Jahreshefte*, vol. 56, 1985, pp. 157–176.

Gogos, Spyridon. *Das Theater von Aigeira: Ein Beitrag zum antiken Theaterbau*. Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut, 1992.

Sear, Frank. *Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study*. Oxford University Press, 2006.

Walter, Otto. “Vorläufiger Bericht über die Grabungen in Aegeira.” *Österreichische Jahreshefte*, vols. 19–20, 1919, pp. 20–24.