Perge, Perga (modern Aksu, Turkey)

120 CE

Cavea Width: 113 meters
Orchestra Width: 28 meters

Roman theatre at Perge or Perga (modern Aksu, Turkey): Cavea: D 112.5m; ima 28 rows in 11 cunei; summa 19 rows in 22 cunei; porticus at top; capacity: 11,400 / 14,200 (FS); substructure built against hillside, east facing; 4 radial vaulted passageways lead from outer cavea wall uder summa cavea to praecinctio; orchestra: D c.27.75 (FS); Covered Paradoi, modifications to scene and porticus; Severan, c. 200 CE; orchestra converted to arena c. ad 250 or later; converted into arena after 250 CE.

Roman theatre at Perge or Perga (modern Aksu, Turkey)
Thomas G. Hines, 2024

Location: The Roman ruins of Perge lie 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) east of the city of Antalya in present day Turkey. It was the capital of the Roman province of Pamphylia Secunda on the southwestern Mediterranean coast. Excavations of the acropolis date the original settlement to the early Bronze Age, 4000-3000 BCE. Although the Persians believed the city was founded by Greek heroes after the Trojan War, the city of Perge does not appear in history prior to the arrival of Alexander the Great in 333 BCE. Like other Anatolian cities, Perge reached its zenith during Roman Imperial times during the first three centuries CE (Akurga 329).

Architectural Design: The theatre’s initial construction dates from around 120 CE. Built on the side of a hill, its shape exceeds a semicircle. The two tiers of cavea seating are separated by a single diazoma (horizontal walkway) and supported by a vaulted substructure. A colonnaded gallery surrounds the top of the auditorium and the remains of a three storied scaenae (stage house) and pulpitum (stage) faces a semi-circular orchestra which was used as an arena for gladiatorial games. (Sear 372).

The theater’s cavea (auditorium seating) faces east and measures 112.5 meters in diameter and exceeds a semicircle. It is divided into two seating sections: a lower section (ima cavea) with 28 rows of elaborately profiled seats (0.41 x 0.80 m) subdivided into 11 cunei (wedge-shaped, horizontal seating sections) and an upper seating section (summa cavea) with 19 rows in 22 cunei. The ima and summa cavea are separated by a curved, horizontal walkway (praecinctio). 17 staircases provide access to the upper seating sections. An elaborate porticus (Long covered ambulatory with a roof carried on colonnades) surrounds the summa cavea and provided a respite for spectators in the event of bad weather. (Sear 372).

Side entrances to the cavea (paradoi) were initially uncovered as in Greek theatres, but were subsequently covered with barrel vaults with 13 rows of additional seating during Severan modifications around 200 CE.  The cavea provided seating for 11,400 to 14,000 spectators. Parodoi. (Sear 372).

Substructures: the theatre was built against a hillside with an outer curved wall built in rusticated masonry. 4 radial, vaulted passageways lead from the outer cavea wall, under the summa cavea to the praecinctio. The porticus was accessible from 6 doors in the cavea wall.

Orchestra: The 27.75 m wide orchestra is semi-circular and is separated from the ima cavea by a podium wall. It was converted into an arena during the third century (c. 250 CE), and a pierced marble screen with uprights in the form of herms was built on top of the podium to separate and protect spectators from gladiatorial combat and animal hunts. During later renovations under Emperor Tacitus (275-276 CE), the arena was made watertight so as to serve as a kolumbethra for water spectacles.

Pulpitum: The pulpitum (stage) was trapezoidal and measured 47m long by c. 4.33m wide. The 6.3m high stage was supported by 16 columns forming a front wall that was pierced by 3 doorways (1 central and 2 lateral) and was decorated with 6 shell-shaped niches. (Sear 372).

Scaenae: The scaenae (scene building, c. 170-211 CE) was initially a two-story structure but was extended to three stories with an estimated height of 28.5 m during the reign of Severus Alexander (222-235 CE). The scaenae intersects with the cavea forming a closed theatre space. The scaenae frons (scene building front) had 5 doorways separated by columns and supporting podia (columns bases). Architectural elements adorned the three-story structure including columns, niches, statuary, and sumptuous reliefs relating to myth of Dionysus. Thirteen sections of the Gigantomachy Frieze are housed at the Antalya Archeology Museum. These carvings decorated the podium of the scaenae frons’ third floor and were installed during the reign of Emperor Gallianus (250-265 CE). (Sear 372).

Excavations:

The Perge archaeological site has been excavated systemically by Istanbul University since 1946 under Professor Arif Müfid Mansel (1946, 1953-1957, 1967-1975), and Professor Jale Inan (1975-1992).

Theatre excavations and reparation works were undertaken and finalized by Turkish archeological teams between the years 1985-1993 under the direction of Jale Inan on behalf of  the Turkish Historical Society. (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey).

Renovations:
Initial Date: 120 CE or earlier. (FS)
Covered Paradoi, modifications to scene and porticus; Severan, (193-211 CE).
Orchestra converted to arena c.250 CE or later. (FS)

Excavations:

The Perge archaeological site has been excavated systemically by Istanbul University since 1946. Arif Müfid Mansel (1946, 1953–1957, 1967-1975). Jale Inan (1975 – 1992).

Theatre excavations and reparation works were undertaken and finalized by Turkish archeological teams between the years 1985-1993.

Restoration of the Theatre announced by Cemil Karabayram, Antalya Director of Surveying and Monuments in 2018. Devamı, Haberin. Ancient theater in Perge to be restored, Hürriyet Daily News. 2/24/2018.  <https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-theater-in-perge-to-be-restored-127801>

Bibliography / Resources:

Akurgal, Ekrem. Ancient Civilization and Ruins of Turkey. 9th ed., Istanbul: Net Turistik Yayinlar, 2001.

Devamı, Haberin. “Ancient Theater in Perge to Be Restored.” Hürriyet Daily News, 24 Feb. 2018, www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ancient-theater-in-perge-to-be-restored-127801.

“Title of Webpage.” Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, www.ktb.gov.tr/yazdir?050F1F5F31F601886ADA270A101E1D47. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

“Perga.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perga. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

“On the Traces of Ancient Cultures.” Tuerkei-antik, www.tuerkei-antik.de/Theater/perge_en.htm. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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