The Theatre at Megalopolis

Extract

The following is the principal part of a letter published in the Athenaeum of August 5th last, explaining my change of view with regard to the scenic arrangements of the theatre at Megalopolis:—

‘In order to [explain my change of view] I must recall as briefly as possible the main point at issue between Mr. Gardner and Prof. Dörpfeld.

‘Before the theatre at Megalopolis stood a large building—the “Thersilion”—whose portico served as the background or frons scenae, in front of which the actors in the theatre played. The original level immediately in front of this portico—i.e. the level at which the actors originally stood—was 3 ft. 3 in. above the original level of the orchestra of the present theatre; but the level immediately before the portico was afterwards lowered, to precisely this extent, by the addition of three steps to its stylobate. So far all parties are agreed. Then arises the question on which the whole controversy turns—To what period, relatively to the “Thersilion,” is the theatre to be assigned? Is it contemporary with the portico in its original form? or is it contemporary with the lower steps of the portico? Mr. Gardner holds the former view, and thence draws the inevitable conclusion that there was either a terrace or a platform, some 3 ft.