As a result of its apparent mathematical perfection, the ancient writer Pausanias attributed the design of the theatre at Epidaurus to the famous architect Polycleitus the Younger - the man who had designed the impressive structure of the thymele in the same town.
Pausanias visited Epidaurus during the second century AD and described the city, its shrines, and also the great theatre in detail.
Pausanius' description of the theatre
The Epidaurians have a theatre within the sanctuary, in my opinion very well worth seeing. For while the Roman theatres are far superior to those anywhere else in their splendour, and the Arcadian theatre at Megalopolis is unequalled for size, what architect could seriously rival Polycleitus in symmetry and beauty? For it was Polycleitus who built both this theatre and the circular building. Within the grove are a temple of Artemis, an image of Epione, a sanctuary of Aphrodite and Themis, a race-course consisting, like most Greek race-courses, of a bank of earth, and a fountain worth seeing for its roof and general splendour. Pausanias II.27.5
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