The theatre of Dionysus and Philopappos hill (

The Theatre of Dionysus was a major open-air theatre in Athens, built at the foot of the Acropolis and forming part of the temenos of «Dionysus Eleuthereus» («Dioe Liberator»). Dedicated to the god of wine and fertility, it hosted the City Dionysia festival. Amongst those to have competed are all of the renowned dramatists of the classical era, such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. A stone-version of the theatre, which was built c. 325 BCE, seated between 14000 to 17000 spectators.[1] After this the theatre fell into disuse and little is recorded until 61 CE where there is evidence of major renovations done by the emperor Nero. The remains of a restored and redesigned Roman version can still be seen at the site today. The Theatre of Dionysus also eventually hosted meetings of the Athenian Ecclesia after the Pynx was deemed unsuitable. Greek authorities announced on November 24, 2009 that they will partially restore the ruined marble theater. The Culture Ministry said the $9 million program is set for completion by 2015 and will include extensive modern additions to the surviving marble seats. Philopappos monument is a two-storey structure, supported by a base. On the lower level there is a frieze representing Philopappos as a consul, riding on a chariot and led by lictors. The upper level shows statues of three men: of Antiochus IV on the left, of Philopappos in the centre and of Seleucus I Nicator, now lost, on the right. In the niche below …