Troy (Roman Ilium, Troia) Theatre A

306 BCE Greek, 27 BCE Roman

Cavea Width: 99 meters
Orchestra Width: 19 meters

The Great Theatre (Theatre A) at Troy (Roman Troy/Ilium), located at modern Hisarlık, Turkey, is a Greco-Roman theatre with a cavea diameter of 98.6 meters; the seating area originally contained multiple rows divided into 13 cunei, though only 3 limestone rows have been excavated; the cavea faces northwest; estimated seating capacity ranges from 7,700 to 9,650 spectators; the orchestra measures 18.5 meters in diameter with a horseshoe-shaped configuration; initial construction was completed in 306 BCE during the Greek period, with major Roman renovations during the Augustan period (27 BCE-14 CE) that added a three-tiered scaenae frons featuring Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders; the theatre remains only partially excavated with visible foundations of the scene building and lowest seating rows, requiring ongoing conservation as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation achieved in 1998.

The Great Theatre (Theatre A) at Troy (Roman Troy/Ilium), located at modern Hisarlık, Turkey

Roman Ilium or Troia is located at Hisarlık in modern Turkey’s Çanakkale Province (UNESCO World Heritage Centre). Among its numerous architectural remains are two theatrical structures: the Great Theatre (Theatre A) and a smaller performance venue known as Theatre C, also referred to as the odeum. This analysis focuses primarily on the partially excavated Great Theatre.

Very Brief History of the City

Troia / Ilion occupied a strategic position at the entrance to the Dardanelles, controlling trade routes between Europe and Asia. The site witnessed continuous occupation from approximately 3600 BCE to 500 CE, with archaeologists identifying ten major settlement layers (Rose 15-30). The Roman city of Ilium emerged over the Bronze Age ruins, flourishing particularly after Augustus promoted Troy as the mythical birthplace of Rome through the Aeneas legend (Rose 180-195).

Brief History of the Theatre

The Great Theatre at Troia was constructed during the late 4th century BCE as part of the Greek settlement’s civic development (Sear 357). The structure underwent significant modifications during the Augustan period (27 BCE-14 CE), when a new scaenae frons (stage building façade) was added to reflect Roman architectural preferences. This represents the primary Roman-era reconstruction documented in the archaeological record (Sear 357).

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: Hisarlık, Turkey (near Çanakkale)
• Orientation: Facing northwest

Cavea (seating area)

• Diameter and estimated capacity: 98.6 meters; capacity 7,700-9,650 spectators
• Seating divisions: Only 3 rows of limestone seats uncovered; originally divided into 13 cunei (wedge-shaped seating sections)
• Construction materials and techniques: Cut into limestone ridge; seats constructed from local limestone
• Substructures: Built into natural limestone formation with minimal artificial support structures

Orchestra (performance space between audience and stage)

• Dimensions, shape, and materials: Diameter 18.5 meters; horseshoe-shaped configuration
• Special features and modifications: Circular altar positioned in center; featured cuttings for aulaeum (stage curtain) mechanism

Pulpitum (stage)

• Dimensions: Length approximately 48 meters
• Construction details: Supported by pier system; evidence of wooden planking over stone framework

Scaenae Frons (decorative scene house front)

• Nothing Remains
  
• Architectural order and design: Three-tiered columnatio featuring Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders in ascending sequence
• Doorways and stories: Three-story elevation with multiple doorways
• Decorative elements: Statuary fragments recovered; medallion relief depicting Romulus and Remus discovered nearby

Current Status

The theatre remains partially excavated, with only the lowest rows of seating and foundations of the scene building visible. The structure suffers from limestone weathering and requires ongoing conservation attention. The site’s exposure to coastal weather conditions presents continuing preservation challenges (World Heritage Sites).

Conservation Efforts

Troy achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 1998, thereby ensuring it meets international protection standards. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has established a comprehensive site management plan, and the surrounding area was designated a National Park in 1996 to prevent urban encroachment (UNESCO World Heritage Centre).

UNESCO Status

Troy was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 under criteria (ii), (iii), and (vi), recognizing its outstanding universal value for understanding ancient Mediterranean civilizations and its profound influence on world literature and culture (UNESCO World Heritage Centre).

Ancient Renovations

• 306 BCE: Initial construction completed, funded by Malousius of Gargara according to inscriptional evidence (Sear 357)
• Augustan Period (27 BCE-14 CE): Major reconstruction of scaenae frons with Roman architectural elements (Sear 357)
• Later modifications: Evidence suggests continued use and maintenance through the Roman Imperial period

Chronological Phases

The theatre’s development reflects the broader transformation of Troy from a Greek polis to a Roman municipium. The Augustan renovations coincided with the elevation of Troy’s status as the legendary origin point of Roman civilization (Rose 180-195).

Major Excavation Campaigns

1855: Charles Maclaren conducted the first systematic exploration of Hisarlık, identifying the mound as the likely location of ancient Troy (Britannica).

1865: Frank Calvert surveyed the site and shared crucial information with Heinrich Schliemann, leading to formal excavation permissions (World History Encyclopedia).

1870-1890: Heinrich Schliemann conducted major excavations, joined by architect Wilhelm Dörpfeld from 1882. Schliemann discovered the theatre remains but focused primarily on earlier Bronze Age levels (Schliemann 210-214).

1893-1894: Wilhelm Dörpfeld continued excavations independently, conducting more systematic stratigraphic work and properly documenting the theatre’s foundations (Dörpfeld 234).

1932-1938: Carl Blegen of the University of Cincinnati led comprehensive excavations with improved methodology, refining the site’s chronological sequence and documenting architectural remains more thoroughly (University of Cincinnati).

1988-2005: Manfred Korfmann of the University of Tübingen initiated modern excavations, focusing on Bronze Age levels but also documenting later periods. C. Brian Rose directed post-Bronze Age investigations (Rose 1-15).

2006-present: Ernst Pernicka and subsequently Rüstem Aslan have continued research under Turkish archaeological oversight (Turkish Archaeological News).

Publication History

Major publications include Dörpfeld’s Troja und Ilion (1902), Blegen’s comprehensive Troy series (1950-1958), and Rose’s recent synthesis The Archaeology of Greek and Roman Troy (2014). Annual excavation reports appear in Studia Troica, established by Korfmann and Rose to ensure rapid publication of findings (Rose 1-15).

Bibliography / Resources:

Blegen, Carl W. Troy and the Trojans. Frederick A. Praeger, 1963.

Britannica. “Troy | Geography, Archaeology, Map, & Trojan War.” Britannica, 20 July 1998, www.britannica.com/place/Troy-ancient-city-Turkey.

Dörpfeld, Wilhelm. Troja und Ilion. Beck & Barth, 1902.

Rose, C. Brian. The Archaeology of Greek and Roman Troy. Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Schliemann, Heinrich. Troja: Results of the Latest Researches and Discoveries on the Site of Homer’s Troy. John Murray, 1884.

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

Turkish Archaeological News. “Troy.” Turkish Archaeological News, 28 Sept. 2021, turkisharchaeonews.net/site/troy.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. “Archaeological Site of Troy.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/list/849/.

University of Cincinnati. “UC Classics Assembles a New Digital Gallery of Historic Troy Archaeology Photos, Documents.” University of Cincinnati, 4 Feb. 2020, www.uc.edu/news/articles/2020/01/n20886599.html.

World Heritage Sites. “Archaeological Site of Troy.” World Heritage Sites, 28 Mar. 2024, worldheritagesites.net/archaeological-site-of-troy/.

World History Encyclopedia. “Discovery of Troy.” World History Encyclopedia, 26 Apr. 2012, www.worldhistory.org/article/2196/discovery-of-troy/.