Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (6.1890-1897 (1897))

EXCAVATIONS IN THE ERETRIAN THEATRE.

139

into the parodos, but was cut away by the workmen, who thought
it to be the layer of hard lime encountered around the temple.
The level of the parodos floor at the entrance was 1.81 m. above
the orchestra—a little higher than in the east parodos. The level
of the ground outside is given by the stylobate—about 3.45 m.
above the orchestra. If the same grade was continued, the paro-
dos reached the outer level about half way down the stylobate.
No traces of a door at the entrance to the parodos were found.
In the accompanying plans I have indicated the earth-line on the
face of the wall, the sills in the wall itself, and the inclination of
the parodoi from the bend beyond the proscenium.

The East and West Pakodoi.

These sloping parodoi confirm the explanation given by Mr.
Fossum and Dr. Dorpfeld of the peculiar construction of this
theatre. At the time of the old scena (fifth or fourth century)
the spectators sat or stood on the almost level ground to the
north. When the theatre was rebuilt the scena was left standing
but enlarged, and the orchestra was hollowed out, furnishing the
earth for the mound of the auditorium. The only alternative was