XAPΩΝΙΟΙ ΚΛΙΜΑΚΕΣ in the Roman Theatre of Caesarea Maritima?

Abstract

The Charon’s Steps or the Charonian Stairway are to date a unique dramaturgic phenomenon in the architecture of ancient Greek theatres, especially those of the Hellenistic period. The few known examples were found only in Greece. In the 1990’s, a sunken square room in the middle of the orchestra with a vaulted subterranean passageway, leading towards the stage building (skene), was accidentally re-uncovered in the Roman theatre at Caesarea Maritima. The comparison with the Greek theatres, as well as some archaeological-architectural considerations suggest that the Charon’s Steps were probably part of the dramaturgic means for the performances that took place in the Herodian theatre at Caesarea Maritima.