echea : e-CHE-a

(Greek; pl. echea: literally “echoers” in Greek; bronze or terracotta vessels used to enhance sound in the theatre).  According to Vitruvius, echea were bronze or terracotta vessels placed in specially constructed niches (cellae) positioned halfway up the auditorium to amplify the voices of actors on stage. Archaeological evidence for these acoustic devices has been found at various sites, including Corinth (where bronze echea were taken to Rome by Mummius in 146 BC), Lyttus in Crete, Gioiosa Ionica, and Hippo Regius. The vessels varied in material and size, with examples ranging from small terracotta tubes to large dolia (jars) measuring up to 1.20 meters in diameter. While their actual effectiveness remains debated by modern scholars, the echea represent the ancient world’s sophisticated understanding of theatrical acoustics and their commitment to ensuring optimal sound projection throughout the auditorium.