Sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus

The Sanctuary of Dionysus in Athens played host to one of the largest Theatrical festivals in the ancient world. Its influence shaped the spread of theatre to many other areas of the world and pioneered the genres and format of theatrics that we use today. Contains the remains of two temples. The first of these two is dated to around the 6th century BC, whilst the second of which is dated to around 350 BC. Temple of Dionysus itself was a fairly small, permanent stone structure behind the stage.

According to ancient sources such as Aristotle, Dionysus Eleuthereus (The Liberator) was the first person to appear as an 'actor' on stage, and communicate with his chorus in character. Dionysus himself is traditionally associated with nature and performance; specifically relating to wine and ecstasy. Worship of the deity is thought to have spread during the rule of Peisistratus in the 6th century BC. Worship of the god was originally a rural festival in the ancient city of Eleutherae, in Attica This rural version of the festival was held in winter, during the month of Poseidon.