In the second half of the 3rd century BC, when Cassope’s Agora was taking its monumental form at its eastern end, a building was constructed in the shape of a Theater, which has since been named the Little Theater or Odeon. Other scholars say it served as a parliamentary chamber, or Vouleuterion, the meeting place of the people of Cassope.
Its orientation deviates from the main axis of the Agora and it turns slightly towards the northwest. The cavea had a diameter of 46 meters and three (3) stairways divided it into four (4) tiers with twenty one (21) rows of seats, carved in the natural rock, with a capacity of about 2000 seats.
The stage of the little Theater (or Vouleuterion) was rectangular and was framed by the backstage, two side rooms which were extending to the orchestra and shaping the proscenium.
The cavea was enclosed by a precinct, while on the eastern side of the Theater and on a level higher than the end of the tiers a stoic structure with double colonnades was built.
Little Theater of Cassope (or Vouleuterion)
Theater
The Little Theater (or Vouleuterion) was constructed during the 3rd century BC. at the eastern side of the Agora of the ancient city.
There’s a general topographical plan of Cassope by W. Hoepfner and E.L. Schwandner, which includes the Little Theater (or Vouleuterion). There is also sufficient photographic documentation (33rd EPCA file).
– W.M. Leake, Travels in northern Greece, I, ΙV, London (1835)
– S. Dakaris, PAE 1952-1955, 1977-1983
– N.G.L. Hammond, Epirus, The Geography, the ancient remains, the history and the topography of Epirus and adjacent areas, Oxford (1967)
– S. Dakaris, Cassopaia and the Elean Colonies, Ancient Greek Cities 4, Athens (1971)
– S. Dakaris, Kassope, Recent Excavations 1977-1983, Ioannina (1984 & 1989)
– E.L. Schwandner, Handwerkerviertel in Grundungsstaten des 5 und 4 Jahrhunderts, Minutes of ΧΙΙ International Conference of Classical Archaeology, Athens 1983 (1988)
– S. Dakaris, Organisation politique et urbanistique de la ville dans l’ Epire antique, L’ Illyrie meridionale et l’ Epire dans l’ Antiquite, Actes du colloque International de Clermont – Ferrand 1984 (1987)
– W. Hoepfner , E. L. Schwandner (in Zusammenarbeit mit S. Dakaris, K. Gravani und Ath. Tsingas, mit Beitragen von K. Gravani, M. Oikonomidou – Karamesini und J. Boassneck), Kassope, Bericht uber Ausgrabungen einer spatklassischen Streifenstadt in Nordwestgriechenland, Haus und Stadt im Klassischen Griechenland, Wohnen in der klassischen Polis, Band I, Munchen (1986 & 1994)
– Κ. Gravani, Topography of Kassope, Tribute to N.G.L. Hammond, Makedonika, Branch 7, Thessaloniki (1997)
– E. L. Schwandner, Kassope, The city in whose territory Nikopolis was founded, Foundation and Destruction, Nikopolis and Northwestern Greece. The archaeological evidence for the city destructions, the foundation of Nikopolis and the synoecism, Monographs of the Danish Institute at Athens 3 (2001) [επιμ. Έκδοσης J. Isager]
– Th. Kontogiannis, Kassope. Brief guide to the archaeological site, Ioannina (2006)
– Study for the enhancement of the archaological site of Kassope, Zalogo – Phase B, 33rd EPCA (2009)
Kamarina, extended Municipality of Preveza, Prefecture of Preveza
The Little Theater was was constructed in the second half of the 3rd century BC. at the eastern side of Cassope’s Agora.
In the second half of the 3rd century BC, when Cassope’s Agora was taking its monumental form at its eastern end, a building was constructed in the shape of a Theater, which has since been named the Little Theater or Odeon. Other scholars say it served as a parliamentary chamber, or Bouleuterion, the meeting place of the people of Cassope.
Its orientation deviates from the main axis of the Agora and it turns slightly towards the northwest. The cavea had a diameter of 46 meters and three (3) stairways divided it into four (4) tiers with twenty one (21) rows of seats, carved in the natural rock, with a capacity of about 2000 seats.
The stage of the little Theater (or Bouleuterion) was rectangular and was framed by the backstage, two side rooms which were extending to the orchestra and shaping the proscenium.
The cavea was enclosed by a precinct, while on the eastern side of the Theater and on a level higher than the end of the tiers a stoic structure with double colonnades was built.
Part of the building has already been destroyed in the past when the rocky soil was detached and fell off taking down with it parts of the Agora’s buildings and part of the southern leg of the fortification enclosure. In addition, the seats in the little Theater’s cavea have undergone a slight angular displacement due to the sliding of the slopes. It is essentially a geologically vulnerable archaeological site, therefore beyond and before any monumental excavation works, there should be special geological studies, which could help to minimize the phenomenon.
Cleaning and deforestation in the monument and its surrounding area (on a yearly basis).
This is a geologically vulnerable archaeological site, therefore beyond and before any monumental excavation works, there should be special geological studies, which could help to minimize the phenomenon. In the future and under certain conditions, the little Theater of Cassope could host theatrical performances and musical events.
The current state of the Theater’s preservation permits only visits to the monument. However, in the summer of 2010, a musical concert was given for the first time at the area of the Agora without any problems. The venue could host similar events in the future.
Ministry of Culture & Tourism / Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza
Ministry of Culture & Tourism / 33rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities
39.14513487976496°
20.676468014717102°
545 m.
