Aphrodisias - Theater

Large enough to seat an audience of 10,000 the Late Hellenistic theater at Aphrodisias, with double proscenium, situated on the eastern slope of the "acropolis" mound, was restored and enlarged under Marcus Aurelius (161-80). The lower part of the stage and auditorium are well preserved. In a side entrance are carved transcriptions of imperial decrees and letters addressed to the city and its chief luminary and magistrate Zoilos. They include the so-called "Diocletian Price Edict" which, in an attempt to curb runaway inflation, introduced a regime of fixed prices. The large court in front of the theater was paved with marble slabs in the fourth century. Southeast of it lie the ruins of a columned, three-aisled basilica and a gymnasium; closer at hand are the remains of the theater baths.