Orchomenos (modern Kalpaki, Arkadia, Greece)

4th or 3rd century BCE (sear)

Cavea Width: 50 meters
Orchestra Width: 16 meters

Theatre of Orchomenos (modern Orchomenos)

Summary: The Orchomenos theatre: constructed during the early Hellenistic period (4th–3rd centuries BCE). Located 1.5 km north of modern Orchomenos (formerly Kalpaki). The east-facing theatre features a semi-circular cavea originally comprising 40 rows of limestone seats divided into five wedge-shaped sections by four staircases. Archaeological evidence reveals a 28-meter exposed width (estimated 50 meters total) with a capacity for approximately 4,000 spectators. Only the bottom 11 rows have been excavated, including white marble proedria seats with backs and armrests;. orchestra ?15.5-meters. Excavations began in the early 20th century with the French School of Archaeology under Jules Mendel.  Since 2009, DIAZOMA and the Greek Ministry of Culture have continued conservation efforts. Orchomenos may be one of the few Greek theatres not to have Roman renovations.

Theatre of Orchomenos (modern Orchomenos)

The ancient theatre of Orchomenos is located in Arcadia in the central Peloponnese region of Greece. It was founded on the slope of the Acropolis at an altitude of approximately 800 meters. Dating from the late 4th to early 3rd century BCE, this Hellenistic theatre represents an important cultural landmark in ancient Arcadia. The site is situated about 1.5 kilometers north of the modern village of Orchomenos, which was formerly known as Kalpaki until 1963 (Pausanias, Description of Greece; Kourinou-Pikoula, 1997).

Brief History of the City

Orchomenos was among the most influential cities in western Arcadia, alongside Tegea and Mantineia. According to tradition, it was founded by Orchomenos, son of King Lycaon of Arcadia (Pausanias, Description of Greece). The city flourished during the 7th–6th centuries BCE, evident from its economic strength and its capacity to mint its own coinage. Initially situated at the foot of the acropolis, the settlement later expanded up the hillside, where its principal monuments were established.

During the First and Second Messenian Wars (8th–7th centuries BCE), Orchomenos functioned as the seat of the Arcadian kings. It maintained strategic significance into the Classical period. However, its influence declined after the foundation of Megalopolis in the 4th century BCE, which led to the relocation of many residents.

Brief History of the Theatre

The theatre at Orchomenos was constructed during the early Hellenistic period (4th–3rd centuries BCE), concurrent with a wider expansion of civic and cultural infrastructure across Greek cities. This phase likely followed the waning of Theban hegemony in Arcadia.

Initial excavations were undertaken by the French School of Archaeology in the early 20th century under Jules Mendel. The most substantial discoveries occurred during the 1973 excavations by Theodoros Spyropoulos. Since 2009, conservation efforts by the DIAZOMA Association and the Greek Ministry of Culture have brought more of the site to light. Excavations found no evidence of Roman renovations.

Architectural Specifications

Unless otherwise noted, architectural data are sourced from Frank Sear’s Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study (Oxford University Press, 2006).

Location

• The archaeological site of ancient Orchomenos is located in Arcadia, approximately 30 km from Tripoli and 8 km from Levidi in the Peloponnese. The theatre lies 1.5 km north of the modern village of Orchomenos (formerly Kalpaki).
• The east-facing cavea is situated at 800 meters elevation and overlooks the Kandila valley.
• GPS Coordinates: 37.724576531494094, 22.31527529017657
• Orientation: Facing east

Cavea (Seating Area)

• Archaeological evidence indicates that the koilon (cavea) originally consisted of 40 rows of seats arranged in a semi-circular pattern. The seating area was divided by four staircases into five kerkides (wedge-shaped seating sections), following the typical design pattern of Greek theatres of this period (Kourinou-Pikoula, 1997)
• Diameter: ?28 meters in exposed width, with an estimated total width of ?50 meters for the unexcavated structure based on aerial photographs and plan views
• Estimated Capacity: Approx. ?4,000 spectators (DIAZOMA Association)
• Seating Divisions: Only the bottom 11 rows have been excavated, with the first row consisting of proedria (seats of honor) made of white marble with a single back and armrests at either side. These prestigious seats were reserved for officials and honored guests, similar to the arrangement seen in other ancient Greek theatres like Epidauros (Kourinou-Pikoula, 1997; Papachatzis, 1974).
• Construction Materials: Limestone seating blocks

Orchestra (Performance Space)

• The orchestra of the Orchomenos theatre features a semi-circular design with a packed earth floor. A notable feature within the orchestra is a preserved cylindrical altar positioned between two marble thrones. The altar bears the inscription “OMONOIAS” (meaning Concordia or Harmony), providing insights into the cultural and religious significance of performances held in this space (Kourinou-Pikoula, 1997).
• Dimensions: diameter of approximately ?15.5 meters. These estimates derive from spatial analysis of the archaeological remains rather than direct published measurements. 

Special Features:

• A high-backed marble bench (proedria) encircles the orchestra
• Two marble thrones, likely for honored guests, are positioned at the perimeter

Pulpitum (Stage Platform)

• Construction Details:
  • The stylobate held eleven square marble bases (0.32 × 0.32 m), spaced 1.17 m apart
  • These likely supported wooden or stone piers of the proscaenium
• Substructure:
  • Two internal support walls are located behind the stylobate—one 3.10 m, the other 4.20 m back

Scaenae Frons (Stage Building Front)

• Doorways and Storeys: Insufficient data
• Decorative Features: Not preserved
• Dimensions of Scene Building: Length 13.35 m; width 6.50 m; aligns with the ancient city wall

Access and Circulation

• Entrances:
  • South parodos (side entrance to orchestra) wall runs parallel to the scene
  • North parodos set at a sharp angle, suggesting site-specific adaptation

 Current Status

• Preservation: Partially excavated; the orchestra and parts of the cavea are visible
• Conservation Efforts: Ongoing since 2009 under joint supervision by DIAZOMA and the Ministry of Culture
• Public Access: Permitted, though subject to limited operating hours
• Cultural Activity:
  • 2011: Performance of Eventide at Orchomenos by the Tripoli Theatre Group
  • 2019: Musical tribute to Greek poetry, featuring Lakis Chalkias and Sofia Papazoglou
• Funding and Oversight:
  • A €50,000 Cultural Development Programme Agreement was signed in December 2012 by the Municipality of Tripolis, the Region of Peloponnese, and the Ministry of Culture and Sport

Renovation History

The limited excavation of the theatre has made it challenging to establish a detailed chronology of renovations. Based on available evidence:

• Initial construction: 4th-3rd centuries BCE, based on an inscription in characters dating to that period
• Late Roman period: The theatre appears to have remained in use through the Late Roman period, though specific renovation phases are not well-documented
• Roman Renovations: No clear evidence of substantial Roman-era modifications has been published, unlike many other Greek theatres that underwent significant changes during Roman rule
• Byzantine period: The structure seems to have fallen into disuse during the Byzantine period, when stone from the theatre was repurposed for other buildings in the area

Archaeological Research

The archaeological investigation of the Orchomenos theatre has evolved through several distinct phases, each contributing to our understanding of this ancient structure:

• Early 20th Century:
  • The French School of Archaeology conducted the initial excavations under the direction of Jules Mendel
  • These preliminary investigations established the first modern documentation of the theatre’s existence and basic layout
  • Limited sections of the structure were exposed during this phase
• 1970s:
  • Theodoros Spyropoulos, working with the Greek Archaeological Service, led the most significant early excavations in 1973
  • His team successfully uncovered the orchestra and substantial portions of the cavea for the first time
  • These excavations were instrumental in establishing the theatre’s fundamental architectural characteristics
  • Spyropoulos later organized the first International Archaeology Conference in Orchomenos to discuss the findings
• 2009–Present:
  • This ongoing phase represents a comprehensive partnership between multiple organizations:
    • DIAZOMA Association, led by President Stavros Benos, has coordinated fundraising and planning
    • The 39th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities has provided official archaeological oversight
    • The Municipality of Tripolis and Region of Peloponnese have participated through formal Cultural Development Programme Agreements
    • ATTICA BANK contributed a critical donation of €30,000 in 2009, specifically for excavation and mapping
  • The work has included:
    • Replacement of the antiquated site enclosure with more appropriate fencing
    • Systematic removal of accumulated rubble from previous excavation campaigns
    • Detailed cataloging and mapping of scattered architectural elements
    • Strategic test excavations to establish construction chronology
    • Comprehensive architectural documentation by architect-engineer Stratis Pavlidis, commissioned in 2012
    • A significant milestone was reached in January 2017 when the DIAZOMA Board of Directors formally submitted Pavlidis’ completed restoration study to the Greek Ministry of Culture for approval, potentially setting the stage for full restoration of the theatre.

Bibliography / Resources:

Blum, G., and A. Plassart. “Orchomène d’Arcadie. Fouilles de 1913.” Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, vol. 38, 1914, pp. 71–88.

Bulle, Heinrich. Untersuchungen an griechischen Theatern. C.H. Beck, 1928.

DIAZOMA Association. “The Ancient Theatre of Arcadian Orchomenos.” DIAZOMA, 2024. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025. https://diazoma.gr/en/theaters/ancient-theatre-arcadian-orchomenos/

Hellenic Republic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ephorate of Antiquities of Arcadia. “The Archaeological Site of Orchomenos.” 2013. Accessed 10 June 2024. https://www.culture.gov.gr/DocLib/brochure_Orchomenos.pdf

Pausanias. Description of Greece. Translated by W.H.S. Jones, Loeb Classical Library, 1918.

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

Spyropoulos, Theodoros. “Recent Excavations at Orchomenos.” Annual of the British School at Athens, vol. 68, 1973, pp. 177–180.