The theatre of Dionysos is situated on the south side of the Acropolis, close to the sanctuary of Eleuthereus-Dionysos. The first version of this theatre was finished in the sixth century BC. It was the tyrant Pissistratus who introduced the Dionysus festivities in Athens. Eventually the forms of drama and dance which were shown during the Dionysos feast evolved into the Greek tragedy which could be first seen in this theatre in 534, when the already legendary Thespis showed one of his plays.

At the end of that century a renovation of the theatre took place. The stage was from then on surrounded by walls, and wooden benches for the audience were added. However, it was Lycurgus who realised the final and impressive theatre of Dionysos. He built a new amphitheatre from marble which was 30 metres high, 100 long, and 90 metres wide. There was place for an orchestra and choir at the feet of the halfround gallery. It is estimated that there was room for 14000-18000 visitors, but it is possible that this number is even higher:Plato mentions the incredible amount of 30000 people.

More pictures of the theatre can be found below:

• The current state: JPG, 36Kb
• The chairs for the elite: JPG, 36Kb
• Detail of the proscenion: JPG, 36Kb