Ancient Messene/ The Theater:

One of the dedicational/votive plaques erected within the theater from the Roman period. The plaque regards the philosopher Tiverius Flavius (Iso)crates and it was probably erected in his honour after his death; it reads: 

Η ΠΟΛΙΣ ΤΙ ΦΛΑΒΙΟΝ (ΙΣΟ)ΚΡΑΤΗ ΗΡΩΑ ΦΙΛΟΣΟΦΟΝ ΝΕΟΝ ΠΛΑΤΩΝΑ ΑΡΕΤΗΣ ΠΑΣΗΣ ΕΝΕΚΕΝ

The city (dedicates this to) Τi(berius) Flavius (Iso)crates, hero, philosopher, a new Plato, for all his virtues*

Perhaps today we regard theaters and odeons as places of brief cultural transactions, but in the antiquity they had a serious political and social function. Perhaps this stems directly from the theatrical ceremonies of  Classical Athens, where esteemed citizens were honoured in the presence of almost the entire city, and foreign dignitaries. Other ceremonies included the display of the taxation that other cities paid to Athens, and the display of the orphaned boys the city had raised and equipped with military gear.

*I consulted this publication by Petros Themelis about the theaters of Messene-it’s in greek. Petros Themelis was also the director for the excavations at Ancient Messene.

You can also visit diazoma.gr to learn more about ancient theaters in Greece.