The Aspendos Amphitheater is the best preserved Roman theater in the world.
The inscriptions at the entrance of the theater give the years of reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161 to 180 AD) as a period of edification.
Its sturdy construction owes much to the amphitheater, Aspendo-born architect Zenon.
The building was financed by the brothers Crispinius and Auspicatus. They dedicated the theater to the Imperial Family and the gods.
The dedication is at the entrance of the theater. Parts of the inscription are well enough to be read.
The theater owes its good condition to the Seljuk Turks. These used the theater from the 13th century as a caravansary. For this it was restored and later kept in constant condition. What explains today's good condition compared to the surrounding buildings.
The acoustics of the theater is still great because of its good condition. At the highest ranks, normal spoken words on the stage can be clearly understood.