Here I am enjoying a quiet moment with friends at the amphitheatre of Epidaurus in Greece.
The ancient Greeks believed that Epidaurus was the birthplace of Apollo’s son, Esclepium, god of medicine. Over 2,500 years ago Epidaurus became a healing centre or sanctuary. With the money collected from thankful patients, a theatre was built beside the medical centre in honour of Dionysus, the god of acting.
The Greeks believed that entertainment had healing qualities. Now that I think of it, they were probably right. I find a good movie or play always lifts my spirits.
The original Greek theatre started out with 34 semi-circular rows of limestone seats built into the hillside. A few hundred years later, the Romans added 21 more rows. The theatre now seats over 14,000 people.
This theatre is special because it has perfect acoustics. In plain English, if a chicken on stage lets out a soft cluck, everyone can hear it, even the people sitting in the 55th row.
Boy was Dad embarrassed when I squawked!