The excavation of the theatre of the city Aigai (Vergina) apparently supports the idea that this open installation had been part of a common building programme on the western side of the ancient city with the palace. The excavation data indicate a foundation chronology in the second half of the 4th century bc ; a dating that is linked with the final events in the reign — and ultimately the murder — of Philip II (Diod. Sic. XVI 91-93 ). The “political” content of the theatrical works in the 5th century bc expanded dynamically in the following century and was nearly changed so that the theatrical event transformed in the Hellenistic times into a component of political practices and affairs. Both the theatrical event and the corresponding constructed space constitute by now not only the expression of a long-lasting common artistic tradition since the 4th century bc but also a powerful means to promote the contemporary political reality. The reasons should be apparently sought on many levels, like for example the distribution and popularity of the theatrical plays as well as the needs of political formations such as the koina of various cities.
