The theatre has been constructed on the northern slope of a hill, across the river from the main part of town. According to an inscription found in Phaselis it was built on the orders of Tyindaris in honour of Emperor Hadrianus. So it must date from the first half of the 2nd century. Earthquakes caused heavy damage, in addition to that people in the Byzantine period would use blocks to burn in kilns and become building material. The form of the theatre is Roman, and constructed according to Vitruvius’ ratios. Some parts seem to have been made of marble. A large part of the theatre is still covered by earth.