How the Greek Amphitheaters Really Amplify Sounds By: Alyssa Stouch

Last week our class learned about the importance of ancient Greek theater. Many aspects of Greek life and society were displayed through the performing arts such as, psychology, sociology, mythology, and more. The theater was a place for men, women, and children of all classes to come together and be entertained. It was found that one theater could hold up to 14,000 people. So how is it that the Greeks were able to amplify their voices for 14,000 people to hear? Some theories claim the masks used during performances worked as megaphones to carry voices. However according to researcher Nico Declercq, the secret lies within the seats. The multiple rows of benches do not appear to be anything peculiar, but it is the simple corrugations on the surface of each seat which carried the sound waves throughout the theater. Plus, the slope of the bleacher-like theater allowed for the sounds to climb more effectively. It amazes me to think of the complex math and sciences the Greeks demonstrated in their everyday lives. The complexity of the theaters should not go unappreciated I enjoyed further researching this topic to discover things as amazing as amplifying volume because it is not something you would imagine as an issue.