The theater of Dionysus Eleuthereus is an open theater and one of the oldest in Athens. The structure dates back to the 4th century BC but had many other later renovations since then. It was dedicated to ancient Greek God Dionysus, the god of wine and the patron of drama andhosted the Dionysia festival as well. This festival was a competition. Among the competitors were the dramatists of the classical era: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, and Menander. It could seat about 17.000 people. Sometimes it is confused with the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.