Segesta (Mt. Barbaro, Province of Trapani, Italy). Cavea width: 63 m, 29 rows of N facing seats (the lower 21 survive), divided vertically into seven sections (kerkides), top row with backs (prohedria), suma cavea unknown; orchestra width: 14.80 m; stage L17.7, W 3.4, H 2.8 m; existing theatre dates from ca. 2nd. century BCE., replaced theatre from late 4th to early 3rd century BCE. Photo: T. Hines 2019.
Segesta Theatre: The theatre, nestling in the side of Mt. Barbaro, today commands a spectacular view of the Gulf of Castellamare.
Situated on the strategically advantageous slopes of Mt. Barbaro, yet still close enough to the coast to support a trading port, Segesta established itself as the most important regional town of the Elymi people.
Segesta Temple: Located on a 304 metre-high hill nestling between Mt. Barbaro and the Pispisa massif, the 5th century BCE temple commands an impressive view of the surrounding countryside. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Temple: Built probably c. 417 BCE upon an earlier cult building, the Doric style temple is almost complete in its external aspect, only the wooden and tile roof is missing. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Temple: None of the interior structure survives, although, in fact, the temple was never completed even in ancient times, and the inner foundation works were still in progress when the project was mysteriously abandoned. The temple was built using travertine from Alcamo and measures around 26 x 61 metres. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segest Temple. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Temple:There are six columns on each façade and 14 columns along the length, all standing on a three and a half step base (crepidoma), and each column stands 9.33 metres high. Decoration is provided by alternate triglyphs and blank metopes. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre: Approaching rear of theatre from the South. Rear of the containing wall (analemmata) constructed of limestone blocks. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre: The seating capacity around 4,000 spectators. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre: Originally it had 29 rows of seats (the lower 21 survive) divided vertically into seven sections (kerkides) by access steps. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre, view from North: First built from the late 4th to early 3rd century BCE, the theatre as it is seen today dates to the 2nd century BCE. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre Scene Building Foundation: The orchestra, scene building (once decorated with scenes connected to the pastoral god Pan), and entrances (paradoi) on either side have been lost. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre Analemmata: The theatre is supported by a containing wall (analemmata) constructed of limestone blocks. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre: View of scene building foundation and orchestra. The scene building (once decorated with scenes connected to the pastoral god Pan), and entrances (paradoi) on either side have been lost. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Segesta Theatre: Recent research has documented the presence of an upper seating section (summa cavea) between the two entrances, partially filled in by a Muslim necropolis and by Medieval houses. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Modern Performance Space at Segesta. Located behind and above ancient theatre ruins. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
Whitman College Visits Segesta. Author's hat at ancient theatre. Photo: T. Hines, 2019.
