The Theater of Larissa

The first ancient theater of Larissa is located in the middle of the city and is mostly constructed out of marble. It consists of three major parts: the cavea, the orchestra, and the stage. The theater was built around the first half of the 3rd century BC by the citizens of the city, under the rule of Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedonia. The site was originally used for traditional dramatic performances, and also served as a makeshift agora for important city meetings. The theater was renovated during the 1st century BC under Roman influence, and turned into a Roman arena that was used for a variety of different activities, including celebrations, duels, and even animal fights. The theater was in continuous use for at least six centuries. It was thought to have been abandoned because of an earthquake during the 7th century AD. Excavations began on the theater in 1910 and ended in 2006.