Forschungen im Bereich des Theaters von Aigeira 2011 bis 2018

The theatre terrace of ancient Aigeira is considered to be one of the most interesting architectural ensembles of the Hellenistic period on the Peloponnese. Its exploration is one of the foci of the long-term activities of the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Aigeira. This volume, edited by Walter Gauß, presents both results from the earlier excavations by Wilhelm Alzinger in the 1970s and 1980s as well as recent research conducted under the direction of the editor in this area between 2011 and 2018. The lavish expansion of the previously scarcely built-up area into a new public centre with religious and secular buildings began around the middle of the 3rd century BC and marks the beginning of Aigeira's heyday. This is closely linked to the history of the Achaian League and lasted into the Roman imperial period. Until the 1st century BC, the theatre, a Doric peripteros, a large peristyle building and several small temple-like buildings, so-called naiskoi, were erected in the theatre area. The latter were probably used as treasuries, dining or cult buildings. While Aigeira remained an urban centre until the beginning of Late Antiquity, the theatre area had lost its function as a public centre by this time and served as a workshop area in the 4th/5th century AD. Fourteen contributions discuss aspects of the development and design of individual buildings, selected groups of small finds, and questions regarding the function of the area and its importance for the political and religious life at Aigeira.