Ancient Benches

This week I post benches that are definitely not Norwegian and may well be (at least some of them) very old. We are at the Acropolis of Rhodos (Rhodes) in Greece. This area consists of several buildings and constructions that date to the Hellenistic and Late Hellenistic periods (3rd-2nd c. BC). However, there have been large excavations and rather heavy reconstructions.

Above you see an Odeion.

It held some 800 spectators and is thought to have been used either for musical events or for attending lessons in rhetoric given by famous Rhodian orators.

If you doubt that they sat on benches - look below. The picture was taken half-way up the left-hand stairs.

Right adjacent to the Odeion there was a Stadium.

The Stadium, with a N-S orientation, is on the SE side of the hill; it was excavated and restored by the Italians. It was one stadion in length, namely 600 feet or 210 metres. The authentic original surviving parts are the sphendone (rounded end with turning post), proedries (seats of officials) and some of the lower seats in the auditorium. Also preserved is the starting mechanism for the athletes.

And of course - the spectators had to sit on something...