The ancient city of Hierapolis is located on a natural 200 meter terrace formed from limestone sediments, among the most amazing mineral springs and hardened limestone waterfalls. The city was founded in 190 B.C. by King of Pergamum, Eumenes II, to serve as a resort with mineral waters and probably was named in honor of the king's wife – Hiera.
During the second century B.C., during the rule of Emperor Adrian, a theater was built in Hierapolis. During that time the city has undergone a period of reconstruction after the earthquake of 60 B.C. and many new buildings were born in the city of Hierapolis. In 193-211 A.D. the stage of the theater was modified and artfully re-mastered with limestone and marble carvings. The Hierapolis theater had 45 rows and could fit 15,000 guests. The places for the public were divided with 8 staircases into 9 sections, featuring several exits. Form every side of the stage 8 steps lead from the orchestral zone to the auditorium. The theater was built predominantly from marble, but during its restoration in the times of Septimus Severus other types of rock were used, including some brought from the ancient theaters located to the north of the city.
Although the exterior of the theater is rather simple and unpretentious, the interior features some of the fullest and best preserved collections of Gecko-Roman theater decorations. Decorative elements in the Hierapolis theater have been preserved much better than decorations in other theaters of Turkey. Among these decorations you can find decorative curbs, featuring images of Emperor Septimus Severus, surrounded by his family and the Gods. Another curb illustrates the life of Dionysus, from his birth to his journey in Asia.
Recent archeological research has shown that the theater was fully functional even in the 5th and 6th Centuries A.D. And in 532 the stage was rebuilt after the seismic damage caused a few years earlier. Today, Hierapolis, as well as its ancient theater are on the list of UNESCO World Cultural heritage locations.
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