Acropolis and the Parthenon

This morning we went to the top of the Acropolis.  The Parthenon is undoubtedly the most important and well-known structure there.  When Mona and I went to Athens in 2018 with her parents I wrote about the Acropolis and Parthenon in this blog post (click here). Rather than repeat a lot of the same things about the structures and history, it's easier to refer back to that post for a more detailed description and photos. Besides, it's thousands of years of history and not much has changed in six years 😀.

However, there are other structures and ruins along the slopes of the Acropolis that Mona and I didn't do with her parents, but Wendy and I did today.  

The largest of these was the Theater of Dionysus.  The earliest theater constructed at the site was made of wood but didn't last and subsequent theaters and additions were made of stone.  This was an outdoor theater that likely could seat close to 20,000 spectators.  Unlike the Odeon of Herodus Atticus which still hosts theater and concerts today, the Theater of Dionysus did not survive and is very much a site in ruins.

However, we can see evidence of its large size and how its location on the slopes was very well suited as a theater.  The photo to the left is of a model that depicts how the theater likely appeared at its peak.

The final photo shows the "expensive" seats down front, with seat backs and inscriptions.  I'm not sure what the inscriptions say, but perhaps the theater had sponsors just like theaters today, and in return you had a seat with your name on it. Maybe?  Maybe not.  Either way, it's still a great seat.