English: The intimate theater at Priene is among the best preserved examples of a pure Hellenic Greek theater dating from the 4th century BC. It is semicircular and sat 6,500. At the two sides of the front row were the seats for high officials and other notables of the city. In the 2nd century BC, a row of honorary seats was added in the 5th row (which you can see in this photo due to the extended lip of the floor) and the stage was raised on short pillars above the floor of the theater. Because ancient Greek plays were dedicated to various gods, an altar was built into the center of the first row for the sacrificial rites that preceded performances. In this theater, the altar is still readily visible in the center of the first row.