THEATRES. 269 



on the majority of the tombs in this part of 

 the Cibyratis ; besides the lion, ornaments re- 

 sembling rosettes, wreaths, ram's heads, and 

 the shield and sword are sculptured on many 

 of them. There are two theatres : one is placed 

 on the south side of the acropolis hill, so as to 

 command a fine prospect ; its diameter is one 

 hundred and two feet. The rows of seats are 

 sixteen, and are curiously interrupted in the 

 centre by a great mass of the solid rock, re- 

 maining in its natural ruggedness. At first 

 sight, it appeared as if this theatre had never 

 been completed; but a closer examination showed 

 that the terminations of the seats were closely and 

 carefully adapted to the irregularities of the pro- 

 jecting rock, and that its centre is hollowed out 

 as if for a chair or throne. The effect of this 

 strange and unique arrangement is highly pic- 

 turesque. In front of the theatre, occupying 

 the place of a proscenium, is a platform of the 

 same level with the arena, and faced by a high 

 wall of polygonal masonry, strengthened by but- 

 tresses ; a fine specimen of its kind, and in beauti- 

 ful preservation. The other theatre is equally 

 remarkable ; it is placed in a hollow in the front 

 of the mountain, on the south side of the stream. 



