Acoustical Observations in Greek and Roman Theaters

Abstract

During the past several years, it has been possible to make acoustical observations in the Greek theaters at Syracuse, Segesta, Agrigento, and Taormina in Sicily, and in the Roman theaters at Ostia Antiqua, Fiesole, and Pompeii in Italy. Articulation tests made in the unoccupied theaters under a variety of conditions and in numerous seat locations show considerable variations in the hearing conditions. It has been possible in some degree to separate the effects of background noise, loudness, directionality, and shape factors on the observed articulation conditions. In several of the more perfect theaters, interesting interference and diffraction effects were observed and studied in some detail. These largely disappear is theaters with less perfect geometry and would be entirely absent with an audience present. However, they provide insight into the special acoustical properties of these structures.