Thorikos (Thoricus)

525–480 BCE: First theatre with wooden seats and smaller orchestra. 
480–425 BCE: Present ima cavea.
350 BCE: Summa cavea constructed. (Source for dates: Sear 409)

Cavea Width: 55 meters
Orchestra Width: 30 meters

The Theatre of Thorikos (Greek: Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού); modern Lavrio, ancient Thorikos, Attica, Greece; the world’s oldest surviving stone theatre with unique elongated rectilinear design; 55 meters wide; 21 rows arranged in three unequal tiers (central tier straight-lined, eastern and western tiers curved), with upper cavea added later containing 10-12 additional rows; facing south-southwest; capacity increased from 2,000 to 3,200 spectators after upper cavea construction; orchestra 16 × 30 meters rectangular with curved angles (443 square meters total); constructed 525-480 BCE with major renovations 480-425 BCE and later phases; relatively well-preserved stone seating and retaining walls visible demonstrating early theatrical architecture before standardized semicircular forms were established, originally built on former limestone quarry site and serving dual functions for dramatic performances and civic assemblies.

The Theatre of Thorikos (Greek: Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού), near modern Lavrio, Greece.

The Theatre of Thorikos (Greek: Αρχαίο Θέατρο Θορικού) is located north of modern Lavrio in the ancient demos of Thorikos in Attica, this remarkable structure holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest known stone theatre, dating to approximately 525-480 BCE (Sear 409). Built on the rocky slopes of the coastal Velatouri hill in direct continuation of the excavated settlement of ancient Thorikos, the theatre exhibits a unique elongated configuration with a linear central part and curved ends. This rectilinear shape, once considered exceptional, is now understood to be part of a broader pattern observed in other Attic theatres including Rhamnus, Ikarion (Dionysus), and Evonymos (Trachones) (Diazoma).

City History

Thorikos was one of the twelve original settlements unified by Theseus to form archaic Athens, serving as a critical mining center for the Athenian state (Mussche 17). The town occupied the east coast of the Lavrion area in Attica, strategically positioned to exploit rich silver-bearing lead deposits that had been mined since approximately 3200 BCE. These mineral resources provided Athens with substantial wealth during the Classical period, funding the construction of the massive Athenian naval fleet that established Athens as the premier maritime power of the ancient world (“Thorikos Archaeological Research Project”).

Theatre History

The theatre was constructed during the Archaic period when standardized theatrical forms had not yet been established. Recent excavations by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Eastern Attica have revealed that the site was originally used as a limestone quarry, and as a result of mining activities, an open space was formed at different levels that allowed for people’s gatherings. This space was gradually shaped through successive interventions linked to increased needs for citizens’ assemblies following Kleisthenes’ democratic reforms of 507 BCE (Diazoma 2024).

Beyond its function as a venue for dramatic performances, the theatre served multiple purposes. The “Calendar of sacrifices in Thoricus,” dated prior to 420 BCE, contains clear reference to the performance of the Rural Dionysia Festival in the month of Poseidon, following the pattern of other Attic municipalities. Inscriptions found south of the theatre, dating to the late 5th and 4th centuries BCE, provide evidence of comedy and tragedy performances in Thorikos. However, dramatic presentations occurred for only a few days each year, with the theatre serving broader civic functions as a gathering place for the democratic institutions of the polis (Diazoma 2024).

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

• Modern city, Country: Lavrio (ancient Thorikos), Greece
• Orientation: Facing south-southwest

Cavea (seating area)

• Diameter: Approximately 55 meters wide; elongated configuration with linear central part and curved ends
• Estimated capacity:
  • Initial capacity: approximately 2,000 spectators
  • Final capacity after upper cavea addition: 3,200 spectators (Diazoma)
• Seating divisions:
  • Total seating: 21 rows arranged in three tiers of unequal size
  • Central tier: largest section, almost straight-lined
  • Eastern and western tiers: curved configuration
  • Summa cavea (upper seating): 10-12 additional rows, with viewers sitting directly on ground or wooden seats
  • Two stairways divide the cavea into three cunei (wedge-shaped sections)
• Construction materials and techniques:
  • Built from locally quarried brown-greenish limestone, roughly chipped
  • Upper cavea retaining wall: carefully constructed limestone carved into rectangular blocks
  • Earliest seating possibly wooden, later replaced with stone
• Substructures:
  • Built against natural hillside slope of Velatouri hill
  • Cavea surrounded by retaining wall of coarse stones
  • Partly carved in bedrock, particularly at edges
  • Center shaped through artificial backfill
  • Later upper cavea supported by striking retaining wall overlooking lower cavea retaining wall

Orchestra (performance space between audience and stage)

• Dimensions, shape, and materials:
  • Irregular rectangular shape measuring approximately 16 × 30 meters (443 square meters total area)
  • Curved angles toward the cavea
  • Originally smaller, expanded during mid-5th century BCE renovations
• Special features and modifications:
  • Southern side supported by 24-meter-long retaining wall with ends attached to natural rock
  • Evidence of earlier retaining wall revealed through recent excavations (Diazoma)
  • Small temple of Dionysus foundations on western side
  • Rectangular structure (possibly altar) on eastern side
  • Site originally functioned as limestone quarry before theatrical use

Pulpitum (stage)

• Dimensions: No permanent stone stage structure identified
• Construction details: Evidence suggests wooden stage building (skene) rather than permanent stone construction; two monoliths with post holes found below orchestra level indicate wooden beam supports

Access and Circulation

• Entrances, exits, and vomitoria:
  • Eastern and western lanes provide access to cavea
  • Western lane leads toward settlement area
  • Upper cavea accessible from two entrances on north side behind retaining wall
• Stairways:
  • Eastern entrance: single paved corridor
  • Western entrance: constructed as bridge supported by pointed arch
  • Two stairways divide cavea into three tiers
  • Access through intermediate space banked for suitable inclination

Current Status

The theatre remains relatively well-preserved considering its antiquity, with substantial portions of the stone seating and retaining walls visible. The lower cavea shows good preservation, while upper sections have suffered more deterioration. The unique architectural features remain clearly discernible, allowing for accurate study and documentation.

Chronological Renovation Phases

Phase I (525-480 BCE): Initial construction featured wooden seating with smaller orchestra, basic retaining wall on north side, and wooden stage building (Sear 409).

Phase II (480-425 BCE): Major renovation included construction of current stone seating arrangement, expansion of orchestra through replacement of earlier retaining wall with 24-meter-long wall attached to natural rock, addition of curved seating sections, and increase in total orchestra area to 443 square meters (Sear 409).

Phase III (Later period): Construction of upper cavea with new retaining wall, creation of intermediate banked space for additional 10-12 rows of seating, installation of two northern entrances (eastern paved corridor and western bridge with pointed arch), and increase in total capacity from 2,000 to 3,200 spectators (Diazoma).

Phase IV (c. 300 BCE): Minor modifications and repairs documented through archaeological evidence (Sear 409).

Major Excavation Campaigns

1886: Initial archaeological investigation by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens under William Miller provided first systematic documentation of the theatre remains (Miller 1-21).

1963-1989: Extensive Belgian excavations directed by Herman Mussche for the Committee for Belgian Excavations in Greece, co-directed by Jean Servais, Guy Donnay, Tony Hackens, Paule Spitaels, and Doris Vanhove. These campaigns produced 23 seasons of systematic excavation and documentation (Mussche 22-29).

2011-2012: Greek Archaeological Service (Ephorate of Antiquities of Eastern Attica) conducted targeted excavations around orchestra retaining wall, revealing earlier construction phases and confirming quarry origins of the site (Diazoma).

2004-present: International Thorikos Archaeological Research Project involving Belgian School at Athens, Ghent University, Utrecht University, and University of Göttingen, employing modern techniques including 3D scanning and digital reconstruction (“Thorikos Archaeological Research Project”).

Publication History

• Miller, W. (1885-86). “The Theatre of Thoricus, Preliminary Report.” Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 4: 1-21.
• Hackens, T. (1963, 1965). Theatre excavation reports in Thorikos preliminary reports, Brussels (Hackens 105-118).
• Mussche, H. (1998). Thorikos: A Mining Town in Ancient Attika (Fouilles de Thorikos II), Ghent.
• Current comprehensive publication in preparation by Belgian-Greek project team (“Thorikos Archaeological Research Project”).

Bibliography / Resources:

Diazoma. “Ancient Theater of Thoricus.” Accessed October 30, 2024. https://diazoma.gr/en/theaters/ancient-theater-of-thoricus/.

Hackens, Tony. “Le théâtre.” In Thorikos I: 1963. Rapport préliminaire sur la première campagne de fouilles, edited by H.F. Mussche et al., 105-118. Brussels, 1963.

Hackens, Tony. “Le théâtre.” In Thorikos III: 1965. Rapport préliminaire sur la troisième campagne de fouilles, edited by H.F. Mussche et al., 75-96. Brussels, 1965.

Kapetanios, Andreas. “The Theatre of Thorikos.” Thorikos Archaeological Research Project, 2024, https://www.thorikos.be/site-projects/.

Miller, William. “The Theatre of Thoricus, Preliminary Report.” Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 4 (1885-86): 1-21.

Mussche, Herman. Thorikos: A Mining Town in Ancient Attika. Fouilles de Thorikos II. Ghent: Ghent University Press, 1998.

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

Thorikos Archaeological Research Project. “The Site.” Accessed December 2024. https://www.thorikos.be/thorikos-the-site/.

Van Liefferinge, Kim, et al. “The Thorikos Excavations 1963-2010 in Maps.” ResearchGate, January 2011, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265123537.

“Theatre of Thorikos.” Wikipedia, November 3, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_Thorikos.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Greece – World Heritage Convention.” Accessed December 2024. https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/gr.