Kourion (Curium)

The theatre of Kourion was excavated by the University Museum Expedition of the University of Pennsylvania between 1935 and 1950. The theatre was constructed into the northern slope of the defile descending to the Amathus Gate, thus utilizing the slope of the hill to partially support the weight of the seating in the cavea. This architectural arrangement in typical throughout theatres of the Eastern Mediterranean. The theatre was initially constructed on a smaller scale in the late-second century BC. The theatre was repaired in the late-first century BC, likely following the earthquake of 15 BC. The theatre's stage was seemingly reconstructed in 64/65 AD by Quintus Iulius Cordus, the proconsul. The theatre received an extensive renovation and enlargement under Trajan in 111 AD, bringing the theatre to its presently preserved extent. Between 214 and 217 AD, the theatre was modified to accommodate gladiatorial games and venationes but it was restored to its original form as a theatre after 250 AD. The theatre was abandoned in the later-fourth century AD, likely the result of successive seismic events, the earthquake of 365/70 perhaps resulting in its abandonment.[19] The enlarged cavea of the Roman phases could have accommodated an audience of as many as 3,500. The stage building (scaenae frons) is preserved only in its foundations, though this would have originally obscured the view of the Mediterranean to the south. The present remains of the theatre have been restored extensively.[27][28] The theatre is one of the venues for the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama.[29]