On the hill of Monte Smith (or Agios Stefanos), at an altitude of 111 m, on the upper Acropolis of the island, was the ancient city of Rhodes. The English admiral Cindy Smith gave his name to the hill in 1802, when he installed his observatory on the site to control the action of Napoleon's fleet against the Turks. Today the site is an "archaeological park" with a theater, stadium and temples. Southwest of the ancient Stadium is the marble theater (Odeion or "Little Theater") of the 2nd BC. century, with a capacity of 800 spectators, from which the orchestra and 3 bleachers are preserved. The location of the "Great Theatre" has not yet been identified. In the Hellenistic years, it was the site of musical and theatrical events as well as the site of the School of the rhetorician Aeschines. Julius Caesar and Cicero are said to have studied here.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis