Their goal was to create mental uplift as a means of healing for the people, who very much emphasized the importance of mental health, as a result of the combination of a healthy body and a healthy mind. This is understandable, as the acoustics are … But perhaps the best-known method of worshiping the healer god was at the theatre. The archaeological sites of Epidaurus were damaged over the years by ‘barbaric tribes’, as Ancient Greeks used to call them, such as the Goths, but they were also harmed during the Byzantine times and the Ottoman Rule. Today I found out about the amazing acoustics of the ancient Epidaurus Theatre. There, temples, baths, and athletic facilities were constructed as a means of worshiping Asklepios. The Amazing Acoustics of the Epidaurus Theatre Today I found out about the amazing acoustics of the ancient Epidaurus Theatre. The incredible acoustics of the Epidaurus ancient theater have been a topic of discussion since the beginning of the theater’s life. Not only that, but it would also filter the lower frequencies of actors’ voices. The first systematic excavation in the theatre began in 1881 by the Archaeological Society of Greece, and it took several years to complete, since the whole area of the hill was densely wooded and inaccessible. …structure is the theatre at Epidaurus, across the Saronikós (Saronic) Gulf from Athens. Carved into the side of Mount Kynortio and dominating the southeastern end of the sanctuary, which was dedicated to Asclepius – the God and Creator of Medicine in Greek Mythology – the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus has been characterized as the birth place of the art of theatre, and the genres of comedy, tragedy and drama. The ancient mystery surrounding the great acoustics of the theater at Epidaurus in Greece has been solved. Basically, the steps acted as “acoustic traps,” filtering out background noise like wind and the movement of people, which is typically under 500 hertz. Theatre of Epidaurus. Playing at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus today is considered an incredible honour and career highlight, an achievement that is high on the bucket list of not just Greek actors but of the the most talented actors actors all around the world. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is the crown of cultural activity in Greece during the summer months and remains to this day one of the most important and globally recognizable monuments of antiquity. Perfect Geometry – Ancient designers used precise design for acoustics, necessary for an outdoor theater. There have been several attempts to recreate the acoustics of the Epidaurus Theatre throughout history, and none have been quite up to par. Epidaurus was a healing sanctuary in the countryside. The Ancient Greeks built an acoustically perfect theatre in Epidaurus that is still used to this day, over two thousand years later. The discovery of the theatre coincided with—or perhaps caused—a resurgence of ancient drama. In 1881, the Archaeological Society started to excavate the area and found the theatre relatively well-preserved. Researcher Nico Declercq and others from the Georgia Institute of Technology conducted a series of experiments with ultrasonic waves in the theatre. The way the medical centre at the Sanctuary worked was ailing patients would spend a night in a big sleeping hall called, Despite seeing so much prosperity in the 4. Theatre - Theatre - Acoustics: Much recent study has centred on the problem of acoustics in the ancient theatre. The corrugated surface of the seats was creating an effect similar to the ridged acoustics padding on walls or insulation in a parking garage.”, Leader of the study, professor Nico Declercq, explained that the audience could hear the lower frequencies of an actor’s voice “simply because the human brain is capable of reconstructing the missing frequencies through a phenomenon called virtual pitch.”, “Virtual pitch helps us appreciate the incomplete sound coming from small loudspeakers (in a laptop or a telephone), even though the low (bass) frequencies are not generated by a speaker.”. Due to its excellent acoustics and condition, the ancient theater is still used today, most notably under the framework of the annual Epidaurus … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Early theories concluded that the wind carried sound to the viewers, or that masks worn by the actors amplified the sound. Location: Ancient Site. 2020-11-15. The wonderful acoustics for which the ancient Greek theatre of Epidaurus is renowned may come from exploiting complex acoustic physics, new research shows. Epidaurus, Greece was a small, unassuming city in … The famous ancient theatre of Epidaurus was constructed in the late 4th century BC, around the time when Athens was flourishing in art, philosophy, science, and of course theatre, and can seat more than 12,000 spectators. The amazing sound produced in the theatre has been the subject of speculation for some time. Way back then, Pausanias praised the ancient theatre for its harmony and beauty, and attributed the creation of the largest dome pavilion theatre of classical antiquity to its architect, Polykleitos, who also designed the whole of Asclepius sanctuary. The Theatre at Epidaurus Including its Acoustics The Theatre at Epidaurus is recognised as the finest example of an ancient Greek theatre and the meticulous attention that was paid to its design and construction delivered acoustics … Because of this, the listeners experienced a phenomenon called “virtual pitch” in which they filled in the missing tone themselves. The seating section is slightly larger than a semicircle, which consists of 55 rows of seats divided into two by a gangway or … If you liked this article, you might also enjoy our new popular podcast, The BrainFood Show (iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, Feed), as well as: Your email address will not be published. Due to its excellent acoustics and condition, this ancient theater … Typical of theatres built in the Hellenistic period, the Epidaurus Theatre has a tripartite structure, meaning it has an orchestra, auditorium, and stage building. The participation of the local community in the excavation program for the ancient theatre was equally crucial, as the inhabitants of Lygourio village in Epidaurus, gave up their estates, where the ancient monuments were located, so that the theatre could be resurrected. “The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is the most perfect theatre in the world in terms of aesthetics and acoustics.” – the University of Patras. The difficulty in achieving audibility to an audience of thousands, disposed around three-fifths … The theatre of Epidaurus is considered the most perfect theatral structure of antiquity, thanks to the harmony of its proportions, the symmetry of its parts and its exceptional acoustics. Residents in the area also donated acres of fields so that a new road could be built to connect the sanctuary in Epidaurus with the first capital of Greece, Nafplio. Though the design has been mimicked, the seats were usually made out of wood in the copycats, which is probably why the acoustics weren’t as great. The theatre was designed by Polykleitos the Younger in the 4th century B.C., a period that saw construction of many of the Sanctuary’s buildings. Even in the first century B.C., architects like Rome’s Vitruvius were scratching their heads about it. Foreign directors of international acclaim, like American Robert Wilson and Belgian comedy-tragedy movie maker Ivo Van Hove have said that creating plays for the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus was a “life goal”. The vast majority of ancient theatres are built on the slope of a hill, so that the slope of the ground favours the amphitheatre configuration of the space. The natural echo of one’s voice can be heard from one end of the theatre to the other, a phenomenon that has long attracted the admiration of scientists, and even more so due to the fact that the Theatre of Epidaurus was built almost 2,500 years ago – a time when knowledge and technology were much more limited. by Paulina Karavasili. Set against a backdrop of lush landscape, the theatre of Epidaurus is marvelled for its exceptional acoustics. Whisper it – Greek theatre's legendary acoustics are a myth Tour guides may tell you that a pin dropping can be heard in every seat of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus – but scientists disagree … The ancient theatre of Epidaurus was designed by Polykleitos the Youngerin the 4th century BC. It is regarded as the best-preserved theatre in Greece and famous for its exemplary acoustics. The result is a higher clarity of sound, which makes it easier for the people in the back row to hear what’s happening up front. Georgia Tech experimented with ultrasonic waves and numerical simulations at the Epidaurus Theatre several times between 2013 and 2019, and discovered that “frequencies up to 500 Hz were held back while frequencies above 500 Hz were allowed to ring out. The famous ancient theatre of Epidaurus was constructed in the late 4th century BC, around the time when Athens was flourishing in art, philosophy, science, and of course theatre, and can seat more than 12,000 spectators. 21052 ASKLEPIEION OF EPIDAURUS , ARGOLIS , GREECE. The city of Epidaurus itself is equally important, as it has become a popular tourist destinantion over the last few years due to its coastal location and numerous tourist attractions. Probably the most beautiful and best preserved of its kind, the theater of Epidaurus was built in the 4th century BC by Polykleitos the Younger. The architecture of the Epidaurus Theatre is not much different to that of most ancient Greek theatres, which are seen today as characteristic creations of Ancient Greek art. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. Originally, the Theatre … There is another significant factor, however: the seats themselves. There have been several attempts to recreate the acoustics of the Epidaurus Theatre throughout history, and none have been quite up to par. Musical and dramatic competitions were held in the monument, as part of the cult of Asclepius. Sound is carried easily due to the specific slope of the rows. In 1955, the Greek government founded the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, which takes place every summer. “While many experts speculated on the possible causes for Epidaurus’ acoustics, few guessed that the seats themselves were the secret of its acoustics success, where audiences in the back row were able to hear music and voices with amazing clarity, unlike any other theatre.”. With the additional rows, it can seat around 14,000 people. Even individuals sitting farthest from the stage—about 60 meters—are able to hear actors without any amplification. As is usual for Greek theatres (and as opposed to Roma… Its symmetry and … Acoustic diffraction effects at the Hellenistic amphitheater of Epidaurus: Seat rows responsible for the marvelous acoustics Nico F. Declercqa and Cindy S. A. Dekeyser Georgia Institute of Technology, … The Epidaurus Ancient Theatre owes its excellent acoustics to its geometrically perfect design. Further, it’s thought now that the corrugation in the stone seats of Epidaurus is the reason for the acoustic trapping, which means it would be difficult to replicate. The auditorium was carved into the side of Mount Kynortio at an incline of 26 degrees. The first 34 rows are original, excavated at the end of the nineteenth century. That same year, it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said that people sitting in the furthest back row can hear the … Your email address will not be published. As suspected, the architecture of the auditorium allows the sound to be carried from the stage to viewers sitting in the very back row. Declercq’s study also looked at the acoustics in the summer and the winter to see if there was a difference due to variations in air density and other factors during different seasons. Carved into the side of Mount Kynortio, the … A study by the Georgia Institute of Technology makes the observation that “the elusive factor that makes the ancient amphitheatre an acoustic marvel, is not the slope, or the wind — it’s the seats.”. By the rules of mathematics and the method of music, they sought to make the voices from the stage rise more clearly and sweetly to the spectators’ ears… by the arrangement of theatres in accordance with the science of harmony, the ancients increased the power of the voice. They found that the acoustics are more or less the same in both seasons. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. Originally, the theatre had 34 rows. The Theatre is famous of its perfect acoustics where even the slightest sound like the dropping of a pin, or a heavy breath can be heard clearly by spectators in the top rows of seats. The research adds that, “as the ancient Greeks were placing the last few stones on the magnificent theatre at Epidaurus, they couldn’t have known that they had unwittingly created a sophisticated acoustic filter. The auditorium, however, was preserved under a layer of earth. The Great Theatre of Epidaurus: Amazing acoustics - See 2,468 traveler reviews, 1,944 candid photos, and great deals for Epidavros, Greece, at Tripadvisor. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. “ The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is the most perfect theatre in the world in terms of aesthetics and acoustics, ” stated the University of Patras in its most recent study. Their medical centre became one of the most well-known in the classical world, attracting sick people from all over the known world who hoped to be cured by the healer god. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Peloponnese: The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is regarded as the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece in terms of its perfect acoustics … Study shows Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is world’s most perfect in terms of aesthetics and acoustics, 100 years ago on this day in 1920, Greece’s much-loved Melina Mercouri was born, 2020 San Francisco Greek Film Festival: virtual and drive-in event, On this day in 1982: Melina Mercouri tells the world Parthenon Marbles must return to Greece, On this day in 1996, Aliki Vougiouklaki passes away, New graffiti of Melina Mercouri in Patras, Greece announces 2020 will be the ‘Year of Melina Mercouri’. The theatre of Epidaurus (Greece) is one of the best preserved ancient theatres, dating back to 4th century B.C, and is world famous for its exceptional acoustics. and arranged in 55 semi-circular rows, … The festival celebrates Greek history and plays that are over 2,500 years old. But the cool thing about the theatre is its acoustics. However, another 21 rows were added at the top, probably during Roman times. 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Figure 4: Acoustic wave propagation 2D model for the Epidaurus theatre. The study showed that in whichever seat someone sits within the theatre, either at the very front or at the last seat at the top of the theatre hill, they will be able to clearly hear the actors speak – who of course, never use microphones or any kind of sound boost equipment during plays. The awe that someone feels once they enter the theatre is remarkable. It wasn’t until 426 A.D. that Theodosius the Great banned all activities at the Sanctuary, which saw the theatre fall into disrepair. Apart from the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the archaeological site of the area includes many more monuments of great importance, such as the Stadion – where sports events and competitions took place, the Gymnasium – the building where teenagers gathered to exercise, the Odeon – a place for mental and physical relaxation through music, called the first “rehab centre”, by many archaeologists today, along with the Epidaurus museum. Since 1988, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, along with all findings in the archaeological site of the sanctuary of Asclepius, have been added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO due to their significant influence and value to the world’s cultures and arts. A team of six professors from the University of Patras conducted extensive research on the ancient theatre and concluded that “the measurements confirm the theatre’s excellent acoustics and speech intelligibility, for all the typical listener positions tested.”. Later, with the First and Second World Wars, all plans for the restoration of the theatre were cancelled, and it was not until the early 1950s that the Epidaurus Theatre came to life again. Tel. However, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is still considered to this day the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. Pausanias visited the Epidaurus Theatre in the mid-2nd century AD, that is to say at least four … The theater at Epidaurus has been known for centuries as an acoustic marvel that allowed spectators to hear in the back row. However, the theatre was in use long before that. The theatre, which could hold 12,000 to 14,000 people, is noted to this day for its almost perfect acoustics … Nowadays, the ancient theatre is beautifully conserved and offers great acoustics.It is still used during the Athens Summer Festival. The blue curves show the direct and reflected waves at successive time instances indicated by the red dotted lines. The Epidauros theatre can set up to about 12,000 people. Required fields are marked *. : +30 … The Theater of Epidaurus was built in the 4th century BC by Polykleitos the Younger on the slope of Mount Kynortio at an incline of 26 degrees. But researchers today have now solved the mystery in a more concrete and scientific fashion. The construction of the theatre was completed in two main construction phases and its capacity was initially for 13,000 – 14,000 people, making it the largest theatre at the time. They found that frequencies up to 500 hertz were lowered, while frequencies that were higher remained the same. On the theatre, Vitruvius said. It soon attracted attention from across the globe, and there was a call to repair any damages and put the theatre to use. Designed by the architect Polykleitos the Younger during the fourth century BC, the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is one of the best-kept amphitheatres in Greece. It is only in as recent as 2007 the scientists claimed to have solved the mystery of this perfect acoustics of the … As early as 1936, plays were being performed at the Epidaurus Theatre, including those by Sophocles and Euripides. To get a sense of just ho… The prosperity brought by the asclepeion enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including the huge theatre that delighted Pausanias for its symmetry and beauty, used again today for dramatic performances, the ceremonial hestiatoreion (banqueting hall), and a palaestra. I had to go and get the mic to do a recording (video below)… The ancient theatre of Epidauvrus … The theatre remained in use for nearly 1000 years. As Asklepios’ following grew, so too did the town. The theatre structure. Some of the most famous and prestigious Greek movie stars have played in Epidaurus over the years, such as Melina Mercouri, Katina Paxinou, Alekos Alexandrakis, Manos Katrakis, Anna Synodinou, Kostas Kazakos, and of course the “national Greek star” Aliki Vougiouklaki. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus … The theater, dating to the 4th century B.C. The choice of location was a crucial element and, in addition to aesthetic enjoyment, it allowed the viewer not only to admire the natural environment, but it also was meant to serve worship or therapeutic purposes. The Theatre of Epidaurus has a 20-meter wide circular orchestra, 55 rows and a seating capacity of up to 14,000 people. An area known as a Sanctuary developed in an elevated mountain valley, connected to Epidaurus by an ancient road. Epidaurus, Greece was a small, unassuming city in ancient times, best known for being the supposed birth place of Apollo’s son, Asklepios the healer. Mystery of Acoustics of Epidaurus Theatre Scientists took long to unravel this mystery. The performances can be in modern Greek, Ancient Greek or a mix of both, while there are very limited plays in different languages. According to Greek traveller and geographer, Pausanias however, the story of the Epidaurus Theatre stars long before that during the 4th century BC. And yes, the acoustics of the theatre seem to work just as well as they did when it was first built. The final wave of restoration wasn’t completed until 1988, involving roping off some of the more fragile sections of the theatre and refurbishing some of the seats. “The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is the most perfect theatre in the world in terms of aesthetics and acoustics,” stated the University of Patras in its most recent study. The theatre hosts mostly ancient Greek-style plays as well as contemporary adaptions of old plays and some musical events. Earlier in 2020, Epidaurus was also praised by global media as the town that “beat COVID-19” since it reported zero cases of the novel coronavirus, and thus it continues every day to leave its significant mark on the world map, for a plethora of reasons. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus For most visitors, the main attraction in the archaeological site is the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. In Epidaurus, we can also find the characteristic three-part structure that Greeks used to build for its ideal appearance: the concave, the orchestra and the stage building. Was designed by Polykleitos the Youngerin the 4th century B.C less the same both! Early theories concluded that the wind carried sound to the specific slope of the theatre to use the! Due to the 4th century BC and plays that are over 2,500 old. 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