DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4325#0055
.32 IONIA.
11 THE SENATE AND PEOPLE HAVE HONOURED TATIA DAUGHTER OF NICOSTRATUS,
" SON OF PERICLES, A NEW HEROINE, BOTH ON ACCOUNT OF THE MAGISTRACIES
" AND MINISTRIES AND PUBLIC WORKS OF HER FATHER, AND ON ACCOUNT OF
11 HER GREAT UNCLE NICOSTRATUS, WHO LATELY, BESIDES HIS OTHER BENEFAC-
" TIONS, WAS PRIEST OF THE CITY, AND CHANGED THE STADIUM INTO AN
•« AMPHITHEATRE......."
(Chandler, p. 226.)
It is here to be observed, that the Stadium was not enlarged or lengthened, but contracted ; as
maybe seen in a similar edifice atEphesus, the plan of which is given by Pococke, Tom. III. p. 43,
where the circular end was converted to the uses of the Amphitheatre, by corresponding walls,
which inclosed so much as was necessary for exhibiting the shews of the gladiators; to which,
before the customs of the Romans prevailed, the Greeks had shewn themselves extremely averse.
Dr. Pococke observed, that the Stadium at Aphrodisias had in like manner been reduced in length
by a semicircular wall, of more modern construction, very ill built, like that at Ephesus; which
made a circle with the east end, as he conjectures for the use of a church. The real intention of
this alteration is shewn by the inscription given above.
PLATE XLIX.
PLAN OF THE GREAT THEATRE AT LAODICEA.
Fig. 1. The epithet Great is given to this Theatre, in order to distinguish it from two smaller in
the same city; one of which is an Odeum, or music theatre. The architect made choice of a
hollow in the side of a steep hill, for the situation of this building ; and taking advantage of this
circumstance in disposing the seats, saved a great quantity of materials, as well as infinite labour
and expence: an object of the first importance, as will appear, upon considering that this fabric
could not be much less in diameter than four hundred and fifty feet, including the portico that
once surrounded the uppermost seats; now totally destroyed ; and was capable of holding ten
thousand spectators. In its present state it exhibits so confused a scene, overgrown with shrubs,
bushes, and herbage, that not a spot could be found where a view of it might be taken either
satisfactory or picturesque; for which reason it was thought proper to decline it. A Plan is here
given of the best preserved half of the Theatre, containing all the information the ruin affords in
regard to the construction of this species of edifice.
The remains of this Theatre give no light into the disposition of the parts behind the scene,
except a piece of wall belonging to the end of the Postscenium, or room behind the scene. The
extent of this wall appeared to contain nearly if not quite the breadth of the Postscenium, the
length of which was about one hundred and forty-three feet; but whether it consisted of a single
11 THE SENATE AND PEOPLE HAVE HONOURED TATIA DAUGHTER OF NICOSTRATUS,
" SON OF PERICLES, A NEW HEROINE, BOTH ON ACCOUNT OF THE MAGISTRACIES
" AND MINISTRIES AND PUBLIC WORKS OF HER FATHER, AND ON ACCOUNT OF
11 HER GREAT UNCLE NICOSTRATUS, WHO LATELY, BESIDES HIS OTHER BENEFAC-
" TIONS, WAS PRIEST OF THE CITY, AND CHANGED THE STADIUM INTO AN
•« AMPHITHEATRE......."
(Chandler, p. 226.)
It is here to be observed, that the Stadium was not enlarged or lengthened, but contracted ; as
maybe seen in a similar edifice atEphesus, the plan of which is given by Pococke, Tom. III. p. 43,
where the circular end was converted to the uses of the Amphitheatre, by corresponding walls,
which inclosed so much as was necessary for exhibiting the shews of the gladiators; to which,
before the customs of the Romans prevailed, the Greeks had shewn themselves extremely averse.
Dr. Pococke observed, that the Stadium at Aphrodisias had in like manner been reduced in length
by a semicircular wall, of more modern construction, very ill built, like that at Ephesus; which
made a circle with the east end, as he conjectures for the use of a church. The real intention of
this alteration is shewn by the inscription given above.
PLATE XLIX.
PLAN OF THE GREAT THEATRE AT LAODICEA.
Fig. 1. The epithet Great is given to this Theatre, in order to distinguish it from two smaller in
the same city; one of which is an Odeum, or music theatre. The architect made choice of a
hollow in the side of a steep hill, for the situation of this building ; and taking advantage of this
circumstance in disposing the seats, saved a great quantity of materials, as well as infinite labour
and expence: an object of the first importance, as will appear, upon considering that this fabric
could not be much less in diameter than four hundred and fifty feet, including the portico that
once surrounded the uppermost seats; now totally destroyed ; and was capable of holding ten
thousand spectators. In its present state it exhibits so confused a scene, overgrown with shrubs,
bushes, and herbage, that not a spot could be found where a view of it might be taken either
satisfactory or picturesque; for which reason it was thought proper to decline it. A Plan is here
given of the best preserved half of the Theatre, containing all the information the ruin affords in
regard to the construction of this species of edifice.
The remains of this Theatre give no light into the disposition of the parts behind the scene,
except a piece of wall belonging to the end of the Postscenium, or room behind the scene. The
extent of this wall appeared to contain nearly if not quite the breadth of the Postscenium, the
length of which was about one hundred and forty-three feet; but whether it consisted of a single