Ancient Epidaurus Little Theatre

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The Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus is located in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnissos. It is a half-hour drive from Nafplio and approximately two hours from Athens.

The theater of the ancient city is quite well-preserved, in the shape it acquired during the latter years of its function. Apart from a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with poros staircases.

Until now, nine cunei with eighteen rows of seats have been excavated, which originally could accommodate about 2000 spectators. All the benches and thrones of the theatre carry inscriptions with the names of the donors while implying a direct relationship of the monument with the cult of Dionysos.

It was constructed in sections, starting at the middle of the 4^th century B.C. and continuing into the Hellenistic period. The theater of the city of Epidaurus was discovered in 1970 and the excavations began in 1972; a small theatre which had been in use for centuries along with the larger and more famous one at the Sanctuary of Asklepios (Lygourio).

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