THE ACOUSTICS OF TWO ANCIENT ROMAN THEATRES IN POMPEII

This paper reports a study of the acoustics of The Large Theatre and The Small Theatre located side by side in the area of the ruins of Pompeii, Italy. Room acoustical parameters measured in the cavea of both theatres denote the usual high clarity and lack of reverberation reported for other open-air ancient theatres in a similar state of preservation. The Small Theatre is the most ancient Roman odeum (roofed theatre). A computer simulation was performed both in its present state and endowed with a planned ceiling.