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Syracuse:The Greek Theater
Syracuse: The Greek Theater (Photo: Athena Review 2004)
The Greek theater at Syracuse, 138 m wide, was built in 478-471 under king Hieron I ( 478-466 B.C.) by the architect Democopus Myrilla. Hieron I was a true patron of the arts. In 471 BC the Athenian playwrite Aeschylus composed a play for him called The Women of Aetna.
Two centuries later, Hieron II (270-215 BC) increased the number of seating rows to 67, divided into 9 wedge-shaped sections, each named for an important figure (including himself). It may have held up to 20,000 spectators.
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