Elis Theatre (modern Archeas Ilidos, Greece)

400 – 350 BCE

Cavea Width: 104 meters
Orchestra Width: 21 meters

The Theatre at Elis (modern Ilida, Eleia, Greece); cavea width 104 m; earthen terraces divided by ramps of river-washed stones into 7 cunei, later enhanced with stone steps; facing north-northwest; orchestra diameter approximately 21 m (16.5 m at drain); capacity: 5000 to 8000; constructed 400–350 BCE; built against a natural slope with buttressed sides; stage measuring 22 m length by 2.8 m width with Ionic column support; proscaenium featured longitudinal division by cross-wall, with side wings extending overall length to 46 m; scene building originally used double-T clamps, later rebuilt with dovetail clamps indicating renovation phases; excavation revealed an earlier west analemma wall positioned 3.50 m south of the buttressed wall; by 2nd century CE Pausanias found it abandoned, and a century later the area was converted to a cemetery following the Herulian invasion of 267 CE; currently partially preserved. (Sear, Frank. Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 396)

Introduction

The ancient theatre at Elis, located in the northwestern Peloponnese region of Greece (GPS coordinates: 37.89324, 21.37598), represents one of the important theatrical structures of the Classical Greek period. Situated north of the agora in the ancient city of Elis (modern Ilida or Archeas Ilidos), this theatre was built against a natural slope and strategically positioned as part of the urban landscape. Nearby landmarks include the gymnasium and palaestra complexes, structures dedicated to athletic training that held particular importance in Elis given its role in administering the Olympic Games.

Historical Context

The theatre at Elis dates primarily to the Classical Greek period, with material evidence suggesting initial construction between 400-350 BCE (Sear 396). Pausanias, writing in the 2nd century CE, specifically mentions “an old theatre” in his Description of Greece (6.26.1), noting its position “between the market-place and the Menios in the city of Elis” alongside a shrine of Dionysos.

Elis held a distinctive position in ancient Greece as the administrator of the Olympic Games. While the games themselves took place at Olympia approximately 36 kilometers away, Elis maintained administrative control over the sanctuary and events. Athletes would gather at Elis for a month of training and preparation before the games, suggesting the theatre might have served functions related to pre-Olympic ceremonies or entertainment for the assembled athletes and officials.

Architectural 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

The theatre at Elis faces north-northwest, an orientation that differs from the more common southern or eastern orientations seen in many Greek theatres. This northern orientation likely responded to specific local topographical conditions and possibly solar considerations, given that a northern orientation would shield spectators from direct sunlight during daytime performances.

The theatre was built against a natural slope, following the typical Greek practice of utilizing existing topography to support the weight of the cavea..

Cavea (seating area)

The cavea of the Elis theatre is substantial, with a diameter of approximately 104 meters (Sear 396). This size suggests a of capacity: 5,000 to 8,000;

The original seating consisted of earth terraces arranged in steps measuring 0.80-0.90 meters in depth and 0.12 meters in height. These earthen terraces were divided by ramps formed of river-washed stones, creating a distinctive arrangement. The ramps varied in width, measuring 0.70-0.80 meters on the extreme western side and 0.90-1.10 meters elsewhere. This division resulted in seven cunei (wedge-shaped sections).

In a later construction phase, stone steps were placed on top of the ramps, elevated approximately 0.30 meters above them. Additionally, a mixture of conglomerate materials including stones, broken brick, and clay was applied over the original earth seating, suggesting an effort to improve durability and possibly comfort.

Substructures

The substructures of the theatre utilized the natural slope for support, with additional architectural elements to reinforce the structure. The sides of the cavea were buttressed with rectilinear stone walls to prevent lateral spreading. The eastern wall received particular reinforcement, featuring both internal and external buttresses, possibly indicating a vulnerability in this section of the theatre.

Orchestra (performance space between audience and stage)

The orchestra measured approximately 21 meters in diameter. A drainage channel surrounded this space, reducing the effective diameter to about 16.5 meters at the drain (Sear 396). This drainage feature was essential for managing rainwater, preventing flooding of the performance area during inclement weather.

Pulpitum (stage)

The stage area of the Elis theatre measured 22 meters in length and 2.8 meters in width (Sear 396). The proscaenium (the decorative architectural front of the stage) was supported by Ionic columns, incorporating one of the classical Greek architectural orders into the theatre’s design.

Scaenae Frons (scene building)

The scene building measured 22 meters in length and was divided longitudinally by a cross wall. With wings at the sides, the overall length of the structure extended to approximately 46 meters. Sear notes that these wings may have functioned as ramps, similar to those found at the theatres of Epidaurus or Sicyon, as they were only as wide as the proscaenium and the middle room of the scene building (396).

Evidence of different construction phases is apparent in the joining techniques used for the stone blocks. The original scene building employed blocks joined by double-T clamps, while a later rebuilding utilized blocks joined with dovetail clamps, indicating different construction periods and techniques.

Access and Circulation

The theatre featured parodoi (lateral entrances to the orchestra), with both internal and external buttresses reinforcing the analemma walls (the retaining walls that supported the ends of the cavea). Archaeological evidence reveals remains of an earlier western analemma wall, positioned 3.50 meters south of the buttressed wall, suggesting a modification to the theatre’s design over time.

The division of the cavea into seven cunei using stairways would have facilitated audience circulation, allowing spectators to locate their seating sections more efficiently.

Current Status

The theatre at Elis exists today in a partially preserved state. Conservation efforts at the site have focused on documentation, stabilization of remaining structures, and selective restoration where sufficient evidence exists to guide accurate reconstruction.

The archaeological site of Elis, including the theatre, has not received UNESCO World Heritage designation as of this writing. However, it remains protected under Greek national heritage laws, administered by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports through its regional ephorate (archaeological authority).

Renovation History

Archaeological evidence indicates initial construction during the Classical Greek period (400-350 BCE), coinciding with Elis’s democratic reforms and rise as a regional administrative center (Sear 396; DIAZOMA). The first significant renovation occurred during the Late Hellenistic period (late 2nd-early 1st century BCE), when earthquake damage necessitated the replacement of the western retaining wall, evidenced by the different positioning of the earlier wall discovered 3.50 meters south of its replacement (Sear 396).

During the Early Roman period (1st century BCE-1st century CE), the stage building was modified, demonstrated by the shift from double-T clamps in the original construction to dovetail clamps in the renovation, while the seating area was enhanced with stone steps over the original ramp divisions (Sear 396; Ancient Theatre Archive). By the 2nd century CE, when Pausanias visited Elis, the theatre had fallen into disuse (Pausanias 6.26.1), and a century later, the area was repurposed as a cemetery following the Herulian invasion of 267 CE (DIAZOMA).

Archaeological Research

Archaeological investigation of the Elis theatre began with excavations by the Austrian Archaeological Institute (1910-1914) under Otto Walter, with Greek archaeologist Anastasios Orlandos participating in this initial work (Ancient Theatre Archive). After a decades-long hiatus, Nikolaos Yalouris directed new excavations for the Greek Archaeological Society beginning in 1960, continuing through 1981 with Austrian collaboration (Wikipedia, “Ancient Elis”). Additional sections of the ancient city were uncovered during infrastructure work for the Peneus Dam irrigation system (1965-1970).

Excavations revealed not only the theatre’s architectural evolution but also earlier uses of the site, including Early Helladic, Sub-Mycenaean, and Protogeometric graves beneath the theatre structure (No Stone Left Unturned). Key discoveries documented the theatre’s distinctive construction techniques and multiple developmental phases. Research findings have been published in scholarly journals including the Austrian Archaeological Institute’s Jahreshefte and the Greek Archaeological Society’s Praktika (Sear 396), while artifacts are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Elis, established in 1981 and housed in a new building since 2003 (Wikipedia, “Ancient Elis”).

Bibliography / Resources:

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Frickenhaus, A. Die altgriechische Bühne. Strasbourg, 1917.

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Pausanias. Description of Greece. Translated by W. H. S. Jones. Loeb Classical Library. Harvard University Press, 1933.

Pochmarski, E. “Zur Datierung des Theaters von Elis.” Grazer Beiträge 2 (1984): 207-19.

Pochmarski, E. “Das Theater von Elis.” Bericht über die 32. Tatung der Koldewey-Gesellschaft, Innsbruck 1982. Bonn, 1984: 19-21.

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Walter, O. “Vorläufiger Bericht über die Grabungen in Elis 1914.” Jahreshefte des Österreichischen Archäologischen Institutes 18 (1915): 68-76.

“Ancient Elis.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Web. 21 March 2025.

Yalouris, N. “Ανασκαφή Ήλιδος.” Πρακτικά της εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας (1969): 70-2; (1972): 139-42; (1975): 178-83; (1976): 210-12; (1977): 210-12.