Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (4.1885-1886)

THE THEATRE OF THORICUS.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT.

The following extracts from the reports of archaeologists who have
discussed the Theatre of Thoricus, while describing its situation,
show the unsettled state of the opinions heretofore held in regard to
its peculiarities, and suggest some of the problems which it was the
object of the excavations to solve.

For differences in drawings made on the spot by former travellers,
see Plate I. Fig. 1.

From Dodwell's Classical Tour through Greece (1819), Vol. I.,
page 534: —

" This place, which was in the tribe Akamantis, retains its ancient
name ; the port is called Porto Mandri. It was one of the twelve
Attic cities in the time of Cecrops, and the birthplace of the lover of
Procris. It was probably a place of strength at an early period ; and
we know that about the twenty-fourth year of the Peloponnesian war
Xenophon recommended that it should be fortified and become one of
the safeguards of the neighbouring silver mines. In another place he
says, the Athenians did fortify it in the ninety-third Olympiad. It is
not noticed by Pausanias ; indeed it was ruined before the time of
Mela, who says, 'Thorikos {sicIs) et Brauronia, olim urbes ; jam tantum
nomina.' The present remains are interesting and extensive. The
city, which was of an irregular form, was surrounded by a wall with
square projecting towers, and apparently about two miles and a half in
circuit. The Acropolis was on a pointed hill above the city. The
ruins are all of white marble of an inferior kind, veined with gray.
It was cut on the spot, as the rocks are of the same materials. The
grain is close, but does not sparkle like most of the Grecian marbles.