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Dick Osseman | all galleries >> Miletus Priene Turkey >> Priene in Turkey >> Priene's theatre > Priene 2007 4214.jpg
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11-MAR-2007

Priene 2007 4214.jpg

The theatre. It was built in the third century BC to seat 5000 spectators, later (second century) the Romans made some changes. The spectator part (cavae) has 50 rows. 5 Marble seats for priests and dignitaries are in the front row.

A look from inside the skene. From the Enc. Britt.: a building behind the playing area that was originally a hut for the changing of masks and costumes but eventually became the background before which the drama was enacted. First used c. 465 BC, the skene was originally a small wooden structure facing the circle of spectators. It developed into a two-story edifice decorated with columns, with three doors used for entrances and exits and the appearance of ghosts and gods; it was flanked by wings (paraskēnia). By the end of the 5th century BC, the wooden skene was replaced by a permanent stone structure. In the Roman theatre it was an elaborate building facade. The modern concept of the theatrical scene, which is an integral and functional part of the play, evolved from the Renaissance. In the ancient theatre the skene was merely a conventional background.


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