Photographer's Note
Epidavros (Epidaurus) became very well known because of asclepeion, (6th century BC) the celebrated healing center of the Classical world, the place where ill people went in the hope of being cured.
The prosperity brought by the asclepeion enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including the huge theatre on display here, the biggest classical theatre of the world.
It was designed by Polykleitos the younger in the 4th century BC. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. It seats up to 14,000 people. As is usual for Greek theatres (and as opposed to Roman ones), the view on a lush landscape behind the stage is an integral part of the theatre itself and is not to be obstructed. The systematic excavation was started in 1881 by the archeologist Panagioti Kavvadia.
It's assumed that the harmonious proportions and symmetry of the Epidavros theare led the Roman architect Vitruvius to use it as an example in his famous books on architecture.
The edifice has exceptional acoustics which permit almost perfect intelligibility of the unamplified spoken word. A 2007 study of the Georgia Institute of Technology indicated that these acoustic properties may have been the result of the design: the rows of limestone seats filter out low-frequency sounds, such as the murmur of the crowd, and amplify the mid-high-frequency sounds from the stage.
The people visiting the theatre are generally very much aware of these acoustics…. While we were high up in the theatre, a school class was reciting some indeed intelligible texts. I went downstairs and went to the stage too and started to clap rhythmically to check out the stage-acoustics. Some boys of the aforementioned school class joined in the clapping and a short while after that, a girl started to do a Flamengo tap dance to the rhythm.
Ir was one of the many impromptu micro performances, the ancient stage saw that summer day.
A lager version is: here.
Tue, pajaran, holmertz, ikeharel, jean113, jean113, jhm, Royaldevon, Ilonka1974, COSTANTINO, macjake, papagolf21, Energysavingelk, lucasgalodoido έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη
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Tue
(82124) 2020-03-03 2:09
Hallo Bert,
Geweldig dat dit indrukwekkende amfitheater al die eeuwen heeft overleefd. De locatie is schitterend met de groene heuvels op de achtergrond. Mooi gezicht langs de tribunes naar beneden met hier en daar wat verspreide mensen.
Lars
Silvio1953
(205549) 2020-03-03 3:23
Ciao Bert, great POV on fantastic theatre, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
holmertz
(92766) 2020-03-03 4:30
Hello Bert,
You really managed to convey a strong sense of depth and height from this position. I almost get a bit dizzy even sitting safely at my desk. This theater is extremely beautifully designed and well kept, and the note provides an interesting and amusing description of the perfect acoustics. The photo is well composed with many fine details and the colours are superb.
Regards,
Gert
Miguel82
(47106) 2020-03-03 4:33
Hallo Bert, that ancient theatre is an archeological treasure. I imagine the spectacles here centuries ago. The site is surrounded by hills and garigue vegetation, it can welcome hundred of people. Fine colors, good sharpness, instructive photo note, regards.
jean113
(21977) 2020-03-03 5:52
Hello Bert, a magnificent ampitheatre.
Your notes are excellent, very informative.
The many people scattered over the site give us a great impression of the scale. 14,000 people seated, that's quite something.
Ancient technology? How did they know that sound would be amplified in this way?
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.
jhm
(202871) 2020-03-03 6:33
Dag Bert,
Dit heeft u goed gezien in de volle breedte
Zo zien we het theater in zijn geheel.
Ook naar se achtergrond toe maakt u een heerlijk panorama beeld.
Goed foto werk, bedankt.
Groeten uit Vlaanderen,
John.
lousat
(129865) 2020-03-03 10:11
Hi Bert,one of te most big problems of photographers is to take a full view of an amphytheatre as i know very well...ehehe...your is a grea solution from aboce and close to the absolute perfection,very good symmetry and fine details everywhere,well done from Epidavros! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano
Royaldevon
(75252) 2020-03-03 11:10
Hello Bert,
What a viewpoint!
From here, we can truly appreciate the design skills of the ancient Greeks! They invented a format that is very much still in vogue. WE could almost be at a football match, enjoying an exciting clash between Premiership teams!
My warm regards,
Bev :-)
COSTANTINO
(104029) 2020-03-03 12:48
Hello dear Bert and have a nice time
wow!!!!thanks for sharing with us
this postcard from epidavros theatre
very well known because of Asclepeion
excellent sharpness
regards
cOSTANTINO
macjake
(96157) 2020-03-03 16:14
Hi Bert
Oh man I love these subjects, can't get enough of them.
The biggest classical theatre in the world, pretty impressive.
I like these versions better, how they also incorporate the landscape and view into the bg as an important part of the entire experience. awesome wide angle views, and fun story with the children to make it even better. cheers
Craig
emka
(152102) 2020-03-03 19:36
Hello Bert
Stunning view of this well preserved theater in Greece. Greatcomposition.
Best regards
Malgo
ikeharel
(105835) 2020-03-03 21:59
Good morning Bert,
Fantastic ancient architecture's of the masterfully built Amphi by the Greeks and than by Roman's.
POV superbly show the area around and the "shell" design for best aucustices.
Wish you a nice new day,
Ike
ifege
(32053) 2020-03-03 22:23
Hi Bert
A magnificent theatre well photographed in its natural setting.
cheers
Ian
papagolf21
(152599) 2020-03-03 23:45
Bonjour, Bert,
Difficile de trouver meilleure position pour valoriser ce patrimoine architectural de toute beautι.
Nos aοeux ιtaient des gιnies !
Amitiιs.
Philippe
pajaran
(102508) 2020-03-04 8:19
Pozdrav.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepa stara arhitektura i priroda.
Lepo pokazano, dobro uhvacen trenutak sa posetiocima i oblacima koji dolaze.
Lep Epidavros - the theatre.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.
Greeting.
Nice view and moment, interesting and good text ...
Beautiful old architecture and nature.
Beautifully shown, well captured moment with visitors and clouds coming.
Nice Epidavros - the theater.
Have a nice day, all the best.
Energysavingelk
(6605) 2020-03-04 11:33
Hello Bert!
An absolutely pleasing perspective of the famous theatre. Selective damping of frequencies, with the lower ones damped and the middle ones amplified! I hope Vitruvius knew what he did or designed!
Nice effect with people scattered all around the theater.
BTW: Could you observe the following effect?
A sharp clap with your hands should result in a tone with defined frequency in the echo as the sound waves are reflected with a constant path difference from neighbouring seat rows. This works with broad stairs, does it also work here?
Regards from Rhineland
Sven
kasianowak
(15760) 2020-05-10 4:32
Hi Bert
You really captured the sense of scale of this ancient structure, looking at your photo one immediately becomes aware of the immensity of the amphitheatre. The presence of the people also adds to that feeling as we can see the "difference in size" between the ones close to your camera and ones below.
Interesting note, thanks for sharing those unforgettable moments.
Best wishes
Kasia
lucasgalodoido
(26918) 2020-06-27 9:01
Olα Bert,
interessante vista desse teatro, e impressionante o tamanho tambιm. Belo registro.
Parabιns e Abraηo,
Lucas
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Bert Hoetmer (bertolucci)
(14052)
- Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2013-06-08
- Categories: Αρχιτεκτονική
- Camera: Panasonic Lumix G1, Olympus Zuiko ED 9-18 mm f/4,0-5,6, SanDisk SDhc X3 8GB, Hoya HD Protector 72 mm
- Έκθεση: f/8, 30 δευτερόλεπτα
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): Amphiteartum in Aeternum [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2020-03-03 2:05