The Theatre of Syracuse, Sicily

The Greek theatre on the hills above Syracuse could date from as early as the 5th Century BCE. Sicily appears to have been a centre for dramatic productions, perhaps only being behind the Athenian festivals in order of importance. Better records evidence a rebuilding between 238 and 215 BCE, where it was given the shape that can still be seen today. Early Roman modifications indicate it was still used as a theatre, but a later set of changes suggest it ended it’s life as a gladiatorial space and accommodated water games. A final set of refurbishments date to the fifth century CE, suggesting the theatre had an almost one-thousand year life span before it fell into disrepair. These photos were taken in September 2008.