Laodicea ad Lycum, North Theatre (near modern Denizli, Turkey)
Ancient City
Location
Theatre Type
Earliest Date
GPS Coordinates
Seating Capacity
Dimensions
Cavea Width: 122 meters
Orchestra Width: 36 meters
Summary
Laodicea-ad-Lycum North Theatre (near modern Denizli, Turkey). Roman. Larger of 2 theatres at site; Cavea width: 121.5 m, orchestra width: 35.5 m; ima cavea: 23 rows in 9 cunei; summa cavea: 26 rows in 16 cunei: 5 stage doors; 3 to backstage with central door enclose in curve niche, 2 on sides leading directly outside; orchestra used as kolymbethra; stage width c.62 m; capacity:10,000; ca. 2nd century CE. Abandoned following earthquake in 7th c. CE.
Laodicea ad Lycum (Laodicea on the Lycus River) Historical Overview Thomas G. Hines. 10/28/2023
Laodicea ad Lycum, was one of many Hellenistic cities established following Alexander the Great’s conquests in Asia Minor. Excavations of the five-square-kilometer site indicate continuous habitation from approximately 5500 BCE to the seventh century CE. However, the extant ruins primarily date to the Hellenistic and Imperial Roman periods. The city was founded in the mid-third century BCE, with its most prosperous era occurring between the first and fifth centuries CE, during which the majority of its architectural and urban development took place.
The city was established by Antiochus II Theos, ruler of the Seleucid Empire, between 261 and 253 BCE, in honor of his wife, Laodice. It functioned as a commercial hub along newly established or refurbished trade routes and served as a strategic stronghold for the Seleucid Empire. Laodicea ad Lycum is situated approximately 200 kilometers inland from Ephesus, within the modern Turkish villages of Eskihisar, Goncalı, Korucuk, and Bozburun, about six kilometers north of Denizli. The site lies along the route to Pamukkale (ancient Hierapolis), which is located approximately ten kilometers to the north.
Throughout its history, Laodikeia suffered many earthquakes and was rebuilt numerous times. It was finally abandoned after a severe earthquake in the reign of Emperor Focas (r. 602-610 CE). Its citizens settled in Denizli – Kaleiçi and Hisarköy on the north slopes of Mt. Salbakos (modern Babadağ), after the city’s abandonment. Laodikeia was one of the Seven Churches named in the Book of Revelation and later became a metropolitan city in the Early Byzantine period. (UNESCO Archaeological site of Laodikeia).
Theatres of Laodicea
Laodicea possessed the largest stadium in the region and was distinguished by the presence of two theatres: the West Theatre (smaller and older, Hellenistic 2nd century BCE), and the North Theatre (largest and newer, Roman built during the second century CE).
The North Theatre
The North Theatre was constructed during the Roman Imperial period, with its initial phase likely commencing under Emperor Hadrian (reigned 117–138 CE) and reaching completion in the early Antonine period (138–161 CE). This northeast-facing structure was built into a hillside, providing panoramic views of the Lycus Plain, Hierapolis, and Mount Çökelez. Although Roman built, the North Theatre exhibits an almost horseshoe-shaped, Hellenistic design and spans an area of approximately 1,600 square meters. The theatre’s construction predominantly utilized marble, which was employed for the cavea (seating area), stairways, orchestra, and scaenae frons (stage front).
Cavea
The cavea comprises 23 rows of seats in the lower (ima) cavea and 26 rows in the upper (summa) cavea. The lower cavea is divided into nine cunei by eight stairways, while the upper cavea features 16 cunei separated by 15 stairways. The theatre’s estimated capacity ranges between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators. The width of the cunei varies between 11.5 and 12.5 meters, depending on the curvature of the cavea. The overall diameter of the cavea measures 112 meters, extending to 121.5 meters when including the analemma (retaining wall). The orchestra and cavea slightly exceed a semicircular configuration. Greek inscriptions engraved on seat rows indicate reserved sections for guilds, associations, or prominent figures from other cities within the Lycus Valley. Given Laodicea’s regional significance, it is plausible that the theatre served as a venue for assemblies involving representatives of the Lycus Valley.
Excavations in the eastern section of the theatre uncovered seating blocks with circular holes, which likely accommodated wooden posts supporting a velarium (awning) to shield spectators from the sun. Additional holes in the seating rows suggest the use of portable parasols for sun protection.
Orchestra, Stage, and Scaenae Frons
The orchestra, measuring approximately 35.5 meters in width, is composed of limestone slabs and is backed by a 62-meter-wide stage that extends to the analemma. The scaenae frons featured three doorways: a central doorway set within a curved niche and two lateral entrances leading directly outside. Numerous architectural elements, including column shafts, architrave-frieze fragments, and pilaster capitals, have been discovered in the orchestra area. These decorative components are stylistically attributable to the late Hadrianic or Antonine period (117–138 CE).
Based on the height of the summa cavea, scholars have inferred that the stage building originally consisted of three stories. According to Vitruvian architectural principles, the stage house’s height would have been proportionate to that of the cavea. South of the analemma, excavators have uncovered the foundations of various buildings, which are hypothesized to have functioned as shops serving theatre patrons.
Calcium deposits on the orchestra podium blocks, along with traces of pink plaster used for waterproofing, indicate that the orchestra was adapted as a kolumbēthra (a water-filled arena) for aquatic spectacles.
Later Use and Decline
The North Theatre remained in use from the second through the seventh century CE, with evidence of multiple phases of restoration. Renovations were undertaken during the early Severan period, the reign of Diocletian, and the Proto-Byzantine era, with additional repairs following an earthquake in 494 CE. By the fifth century CE, both the North and West Theatres were integrated into the city’s defensive fortifications. Ultimately, the theatres were destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in the seventh century CE, and their materials were repurposed for subsequent construction projects (Şimşek).
Renovations / Excavations
1781: John Thomas Serres visits and produces drawings of cavea.
1838: Léon Emmanuel Simon Joseph Laborde produces drawing of North Theatre showing cavea seating and stage building.
1833 and in 1843: G. Weber carried out minor excavations but was primarily focused on water supply in Laodicea. Created the first plan of the ancient city.
1961-1963: first round of systematic archaeological excavations conducted by the expedition from the University of Laval, from the Canadian city of Quebec headed by Professor Jean de Gagniers.
1992: Hasim Yildiz from the Denizli Museum, conducted rescue excavations in the main street of the site, known as the Syrian Street.
1995-2002: the survey work by researchers from the University Ca ‘Foscari in Venice managed by Professor Gustavo Traversari. The study of the north theatre was conducted by Luigi Sperti who produced the first plan view.
2002: systematic archaeological work was initiated by the Denizli Museum under the leadership of Ali Ceylan, in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology of Pamukkale University in Denizli.
2003: Excavation and restoration work under Professor Celal Simsek of the University of Pamukkale.
2017: Professor Simek began reconstruction work in the area of the Sacred Agora and the West Theater.
Bibliography / Resources:
Anadolu Agency. “Revelation: Experts Revive 2,200-Year-Old Theater in SW Turkey.” Daily Sabah, 11 July 2021, https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/revelation-experts-revive-2200-year-old-theater-in-sw-turkey/news.
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“Archaeologists Completed the Restoration of Ancient Laodiceia’s Theatre.” The Archaeologist: Civilizations of the World, 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/archaeologists-completed-the-restoration-of-ancient-laodikeas-theatre.
Encyclopaedia of the Hellenic World (EHW). Foundation of the Hellenic World, http://www.ehw.gr/ehw/forms/Default.aspx.
“Laodicea ad Lycum: Two Theaters.” Aeternitas Numismatics, 30 Nov. 2016, https://www.aeternitas-numismatics.com/single-post/2016/11/30/laodicea-ad-lycum-two-theatres.
“Laodikeia Archaeological Site.” T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism, https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?sectionId=DLO01&distId=MRK.
“Laodicea on the Lycus.” Turkish Archaeological News, submitted by Iza, 9 Mar. 2017, last modified 20 Oct. 2019, https://turkisharchaeonews.net/site/laodicea-lycus. Accessed 23 Oct. 2023.
“Laodicea on the Lycus.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Oct. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laodicea_on_the_Lycus.
Pleiades. Ancient World Mapping Center and Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, https://pleiades.stoa.org/places/763220261?searchterm=laodicea+theat.
Şimşek, Celal, and M.A. Sezgin. “The West and North Theatres in Laodicea.” Restoration and Management of Ancient Theatres in Turkey: Methods, Research, Results, edited by F. Masino, P. Mighetto, and G. Sobra, Lecce, 2012, pp. 103–128. https://www.academia.edu/5596474/%C5%9Eim%C5%9Fek_C_Sezgin_M_A_The_West_and_North_Theatres_in_Laodicea_Restoration_and_Management_of_Ancient_Theatres_in_Turkey_Methods_Research_Results_Ed_F_Masino_P_Mighetto_G_Sobra_Lecce_2012_103_128. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.
“UNESCO Archaeological Site of Laodikeia.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5823/#:~:text=Laodikeia’s%20excavations%20and%20restorations%20have,Celal%20%C5%9Eim%C5%9Fek. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.