DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0131
CHAP. VII.]
THEATRE OF AZANI.
103
nium not so well, but enough to give a good idea of a
Grecian theatre; whilst the whole of the orchestra and
interior of the cavea are filled with broken fragments of
fluted columns,, rich cornices and architraves, and bas-
reliefs of rather ordinary execution. A stagnant pool of
water in the centre speaks forcibly as to its utter aban-
donment and desolation. The stadium extends north and
south in a direct line of prolongation from the theatre,
with which it is immediately connected, although at a lower
level. Some of the marble seats, both in the stadium and
in the theatre, are well preserved, and of highly-finished
workmanship; but the proscenium and scena are built of
a different stone, and in a ruder style. Looking at the
theatre from the stadium we were struck with the similarity
of the construction of the latter and the cavea, forming as
it were a perfect whole, while the proscenium and scena ap-
peared to be the work of a different period, perhaps only
temporarily erected, to be removed on certain occasions,
and hastily rebuilt for dramatic exhibitions. On the outside
wall of the west wing of the cavea several letters were cut
upon some of the marble blocks, such as A. H. K. AH.,
which were probably nothing but mai-ks to guide the work-
men in placing the different blocks.
The hill above the theatre is covered with numerous
fragments of sarcophagi, all of which have been opened,
and their covers thrown aside. It is a remarkable fact,
which I frequently observed, that, whereas both in Greece
and Italy unopened ancient tombs are frequently disco-
vered, in Asia Minor they have been universally opened
and pillaged, probably many centuries ago; but whether
this should be attributed to the different characters of
the inhabitants or of the tombs, this is not the place to
inquire.
The Turkish burial-ground was also full of ancient frag-
ments, on many of which were inscriptions, chiefly sepulchral,
and more or less perfect; many are also inserted into the
modern walls forming the enclosures of fields around the
THEATRE OF AZANI.
103
nium not so well, but enough to give a good idea of a
Grecian theatre; whilst the whole of the orchestra and
interior of the cavea are filled with broken fragments of
fluted columns,, rich cornices and architraves, and bas-
reliefs of rather ordinary execution. A stagnant pool of
water in the centre speaks forcibly as to its utter aban-
donment and desolation. The stadium extends north and
south in a direct line of prolongation from the theatre,
with which it is immediately connected, although at a lower
level. Some of the marble seats, both in the stadium and
in the theatre, are well preserved, and of highly-finished
workmanship; but the proscenium and scena are built of
a different stone, and in a ruder style. Looking at the
theatre from the stadium we were struck with the similarity
of the construction of the latter and the cavea, forming as
it were a perfect whole, while the proscenium and scena ap-
peared to be the work of a different period, perhaps only
temporarily erected, to be removed on certain occasions,
and hastily rebuilt for dramatic exhibitions. On the outside
wall of the west wing of the cavea several letters were cut
upon some of the marble blocks, such as A. H. K. AH.,
which were probably nothing but mai-ks to guide the work-
men in placing the different blocks.
The hill above the theatre is covered with numerous
fragments of sarcophagi, all of which have been opened,
and their covers thrown aside. It is a remarkable fact,
which I frequently observed, that, whereas both in Greece
and Italy unopened ancient tombs are frequently disco-
vered, in Asia Minor they have been universally opened
and pillaged, probably many centuries ago; but whether
this should be attributed to the different characters of
the inhabitants or of the tombs, this is not the place to
inquire.
The Turkish burial-ground was also full of ancient frag-
ments, on many of which were inscriptions, chiefly sepulchral,
and more or less perfect; many are also inserted into the
modern walls forming the enclosures of fields around the