Herodes Atticus had some extra cash in the bank around 160 AD, and decided to make a commitment to the culture of the community. He paid for the construction of a theater, as a tribute to his late wife. The initial project also had a roof, but that was burned by the invading barbarians in 267. (Darn barbarians.)
The Acropolis is a great place for a theater. The acoustics are wonderful, in that the audience can hear sounds on the stage perfectly. The building could hold 5,000 people.
Happily, the theater is still in use today for concerts. Frank Sinatra even played there once. It's hard to grasp the idea that you could watch a classic Greek play today in this setting, which is as one of the best-preserved facilities of its kind in the world. Yet, it happens.
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