Phaselis (modern Tekirova, Turkey)

Hellenistic theatre 1st Century BCE; Roman remodel in 2nd century CE.

Cavea Width: 46 meters
Orchestra Width: 17 meters

The Theatre at Phaselis, Tekirova, Turkey; cavea diameter 46-50m; 20-21 rows of seats divided into 5 cunei; faces northwest; seating capacity approximately 1,500 to 2,000; orchestra diameter 16-17m; constructed in the 2nd century CE; ruins in poor condition, described as “buried in a forest” (Bean). Information drawn from Frank Sear’s “Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study” (2006)

Phaselis Theatre (modern Tekirova, Turkey)

Introduction

The theatre at Phaselis is situated within the ancient city of Phaselis in modern Tekirova, Turkey. Located precisely at 36.5244° N, 30.5463° E, this structure occupies a prominent position on the north slope of the acropolis hill. The theatre’s placement within the urban fabric of Phaselis is strategic, positioned in close proximity to the city’s main street, agora, and bath complex. This integration within the civic center underscores the theatre’s significance in the public and cultural life of ancient Phaselis. The site overlooks the Mediterranean coastline, with the impressive Taurus Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop to the east.

History

The theatre at Phaselis dates to the 2nd century CE, placing its construction firmly within the Roman Imperial period, when the region was part of the Roman province of Lycia et Pamphylia. This timeline aligns with a period of significant prosperity and architectural development throughout the cities of Asia Minor under Roman administration. While specific historical events directly associated with the theatre remain limited in the historical record, the structure would have played a central role in the cultural and civic life of Phaselis.

The city of Phaselis itself was founded as a Greek colony in the 7th century BCE, though the theatre reflects later Roman architectural influence rather than Greek theatrical traditions. The prosperity that enabled the construction of such a substantial public building in the 2nd century CE likely stemmed from the city’s importance as a maritime commercial center with three harbors facilitating trade.

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: 36.5244° N, 30.5463° E
• Orientation: Faces northwest
• Position: Built against the north slope of the acropolis hill
• Topographical details: The structure utilizes the natural hillside for support, being “scooped out of the hill” as described by Beaufort

Cavea:

• Diameter: Approximately 46-50 meters
• Estimated seating capacity: Based on the dimensions and standard Roman theatre density: seating capacity approximately 1,500 to 2,000 spectators
• Division of seating sections: Divided into 5 cunei (wedge-shaped sections)
• Construction details: 20-21 rows of seats with individual seat heights of 0.33 meters
• Support structures: The natural hillside provides primary support for the cavea, requiring minimal additional substructures

Orchestra:

• Diameter: 16-17 meters
• Shape: Likely semicircular, following standard Roman theatre design
• Materials: Not specifically documented, but typically paved with marble or stone in Roman theatres of this period
• Special features: No documented special features such as water elements or altar spaces

Pulpitum/Stage:

• Construction details: Beaufort noted that “part of the proscenium is still erect” at the time of his documentation
• The proscenium (front of the stage) would have been the boundary between the orchestra and the raised stage
• Dimensions: Not specifically documented in the available sources
• The stage area would have been elevated above the orchestra level, as was typical in Roman theatres

Scaenae Frons:

• Height: Survived to a height of 7 meters at the time of Schäfer’s documentation
• Doorways: Sources differ on the number of doorways, with Schäfer noting either 5 doorways (in text) or 3 doorways (in plan)
• Decorative elements: Once veneered with “poor-quality greyish marble”
• Architectural details: Evidence of an upper row of doors or niches above the main doorways
• Construction materials: Built of reused squared stones showing traces of plaster

Decoration:

• Materials: Poor-quality greyish marble used as veneer on the scaenae frons
• Surface treatments: Traces of plaster on the squared stones of the scene building
• The limited documentation of decorative elements may reflect either their absence in the original design or their loss over time

The site of Phaselis, including its theatre, is accessible to visitors as part of the archaeological park. While the theatre itself may not host formal performances due to its preservation state, the archaeological site of Phaselis is an important tourist destination along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Conservation efforts specific to the theatre are not detailed in the provided sources.

Current Status

 The theatre is “not in good condition” (Romanelli) and was described as “buried in a forest” by Bean. The preservation status has likely evolved since these observations, which date from the mid-20th century, but more current documentation would be necessary to assess its present condition accurately.

Renovations

The available sources do not provide detailed information about specific renovation phases or modifications to the theatre at Phaselis. The reuse of squared stones in the scene building, as noted by Schäfer, suggests potential renovation or reconstruction at some point in the structure’s history. Without more specific archaeological documentation, however, a chronology of renovations cannot be established with certainty.

Archaeological Excavations

Archaeological work at Phaselis has been conducted in several phases, with documentation of the theatre appearing in various reports. Early documentation includes Francis Beaufort’s observations in his work “Karamania” (published 1817), which provided initial descriptions of the theatre among other structures at Phaselis. More systematic investigation occurred in the early 20th century, with work by Romanelli and Paribeni published in 1914.

The most substantial documented research on the theatre appears to have been conducted by J. Schäfer and colleagues in the 1970s and early 1980s. Their findings were published in “TTAED” (Türk Tarih, Arkeoloji ve Etnografya Dergisi) in 1974 and more extensively in “Phaselis: Beiträge zur Topografie” in 1981. Additional archaeological activities at the site were recorded in the Archaeological Reports section of the American Journal of Archaeology by M.J. Mellink between 1982 and 1984, though these references may not specifically focus on the theatre structure.

Bibliography / Resources:

“Ancient Theater in Turkey: Phaselis.” On the Traces of Ancient Cultures, Tuerkei-Antik, 2020, http://www.tuerkei-antik.de/Theater/phaselis_en.htm. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Bean, G. E. Turkey’s Southern Shore: An Archaeological Guide. London: Ernest Benn, 1968, 151-164.

Beaufort, Francis. Karamania, or a Brief Description of the South Coast of Asia Minor and of the Remains of Antiquity. London, 1817, 61.

Mellink, M. J. “Archaeology in Asia Minor.” American Journal of Archaeology 86 (1982): 567.

Mellink, M. J. “Archaeology in Asia Minor.” American Journal of Archaeology 87 (1983): 437.

Mellink, M. J. “Archaeology in Asia Minor.” American Journal of Archaeology 88 (1984): 453.

Romanelli, P. and R. Paribeni. Monumenti Antichi 23 (1914): 184.

Schäfer, J. et al. Türk Tarih, Arkeoloji ve Etnografya Dergisi 21/2 (1974): 141, 143-144.

Schäfer, J. (ed.). Phaselis: Beiträge zur Topografie. Istanbul Mitteilungen supplement 24. Tübingen, 1981, 117-121.

Sear, Frank. Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. Oxford: Oxford