Most of the first ancient theaters were located around the area of a sanctuary. The Delphic theater is an open air structure that was constructed in the 4th century B.C., northwest of the Sanctuary of Apollo. Musical performances, contests, and dramatic performances took place within these hollowed out slopes of hillsides. The transition from wood to stone seating was made around 160 B.C. It is divided into two uneven sections by paved landings, 28 tiers of seats in the lower section and seven in the upper portion. Six staircases divide into sevencunei for the upper and lower sections. Seating could usually hold 5,000 citizens. Inscriptions located on the theater walls can be correlated to the emancipation of slaves. Located on the stage was a relief that depicted the Labors of Heracles. The theater itself was constructed from limestone, but today it is in rather poor
Most of the first ancient theaters were located around the area of a sanctuary. The Delphic theater is an open air structure that was constructed in the 4th century B.C., northwest of the Sanctuary of Apollo. Musical performances, contests, and dramatic performances took place within these hollowed out slopes of hillsides. The transition from wood to stone seating was made around 160 B.C. It is divided into two uneven sections by paved landings, 28 tiers of seats in the lower section and seven in the upper portion. Six staircases divide into sevencunei for the upper and lower sections. Seating could usually hold 5,000 citizens. Inscriptions located on the theater walls can be correlated to the emancipation of slaves. Located on the stage was a relief that depicted the Labors of Heracles. The theater itself was constructed from limestone, but today it is in rather poor