Conference_programme: 18.9 - Archeo-Acoustics
Lecture: The acoustics of the Pi-shaped Greek theatre in Kalydon, Aitolia
Author(s): Rindel Jens Holger, Frederiksen Rune, Vikatou Olympia
Summary:
The ancient Greek theatre in Kalydon (αρχάια Καλυδώνα), Aitolia, has a special shape with a square orchestra and a Pi-shaped koilon. The seat-rows of the lower section (rows 1 to 9) are straight and meet at a right angle between the wings and the central part, whereas the seat-rows of the upper section (rows 10 to 31) are connected by curved seat-rows in the shape of a quarter-circle. The scene-building had ramps to both sides and the height of the proskenion has been approximately 2.5 m above the orchestra. The theatre dates from the late 4th or early 3rd century BC.\nThe acoustical properties of the theatre are analysed in a computer model of a reconstruction of the theatre. Two sound sources are used; an omnidirectional source and a source with the directivity and spectrum of a speaking person. The acoustical parameters used for the analysis are the sound pressure level, the clarity index C50, the speech transmission index STI and the Dietsch echo criterion.\nAnother analysis is made on a theater model with semi-circular koilon, but using the same slope of the seat-rows and the same scene-building. This theatre has a circular orchestra with the same area as the square orchestra in the Kalydon theatre (ca. 245 m2). By comparison of the acoustical results from the two models it is discussed whether or not the acoustical properties have been a major reason for the evolution of the ancient Greek theatres from the Pi-shape to the semi-circular shape.\n
Corresponding author
Name: Dr Jens Holger Rindel
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Country: Denmark
