Ear of Dionysius: Difference between revisions
imported>Herostratus →Purpose: What, you want a date? "Greek/Roman times" is a very large span, meaning "Greek times, or Roman" so they don't have anything near a more precise dates, which stands to reason anyway |
imported>Theking2 →In popular culture: add movie reference |
||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
| website = [http://www.arkeomania.com/orecchiodidionisio.html Orecchio di Dionisio] | | website = [http://www.arkeomania.com/orecchiodidionisio.html Orecchio di Dionisio] | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Ear of Dionysius''' ({{langx|it|Orecchio di Dionisio}}) is a [[limestone]] cave carved out of the Temenites hill in the city of [[Syracuse, Italy|Syracuse]], on the island of [[Sicily]] in [[Italy]]. Its name, given by the painter [[Caravaggio|Michelangelo da Caravaggio]], comes from its similarity in shape to the human ear | The '''Ear of Dionysius''' ({{langx|it|Orecchio di Dionisio}}) is a [[limestone]] cave carved out of the Temenites hill in the city of [[Syracuse, Italy|Syracuse]], on the island of [[Sicily]] in [[Italy]]. Its name, given by the painter [[Caravaggio|Michelangelo da Caravaggio]], comes from its similarity in shape to the human ear; it has also been linked to a legend that the tyrant [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]] engineered or used the cave's acoustic properties to amplify the voices or screams of prisoners interred and tortured there. | ||
==Geology== | ==Geology== | ||
[[File:Ear of Dionysius | [[File:The Ear of Dionysius.jpg|thumb|Exterior view, 2025]] | ||
The Ear of Dionysius was most likely formed out of an old limestone [[quarry]]. It is 23 metres high and extends 65 metres back into the cliff. Horizontally, it bends in an approximate "S" shape; vertically it is tapered at the top like a teardrop. Because of its shape, the Ear has extremely good [[acoustics]], making even a small sound [[resonance|resonate]] throughout the cave. | The Ear of Dionysius was most likely formed out of an old limestone [[quarry]]. It is 23 metres high and extends 65 metres back into the cliff. Horizontally, it bends in an approximate "S" shape; vertically it is tapered at the top like a teardrop. Because of its shape, the Ear has extremely good [[acoustics]], making even a small sound [[resonance|resonate]] throughout the cave.{{Refn|{{cite book| last=Radau| first=Rodolphe| date=1872| title=Wonders of Acoustics: Or, The Phenomena of Sound| publisher=Scribner, Armstrong and Company| place=New York| page=65| url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Wonders_of_Acoustics_Or_The_Phenomena_of/67wIAAAAIAAJ| via=Google Books}}}} | ||
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
This cave was dug in Greek/Roman times to provide water storage for Syracuse. A narrow tunnel was dug first. This tunnel was widened by digging down and sideways afterwards, giving the cave its unusual shape. The small narrow tunnel is still visible on the top of this artificial cave. An earthquake struck this area{{when|date=December 2023}} causing damage, and the cave became unusable for water storage afterwards. | This cave was dug in Greek/Roman times to provide water storage for Syracuse. A narrow tunnel was dug first. This tunnel was widened by digging down and sideways afterwards, giving the cave its unusual shape. The small narrow tunnel is still visible on the top of this artificial cave. An earthquake struck this area{{when|date=December 2023}} causing damage, and the cave became unusable for water storage afterwards. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The name of the cave was coined in 1608 by the painter [[Caravaggio]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.algila.it/en/syracuse-and-surrounding/ortigia/l-orecchio-di-dionisio-the-ear-of-dionysius-in-syracuse-/126/|title=Turismo a Siracusa - Algila|access-date=28 May 2018|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230141133/https://www.algila.it/en/syracuse-and-surrounding/ortigia/l-orecchio-di-dionisio-the-ear-of-dionysius-in-syracuse-/126/|url-status=dead}}</ref> who was shown the grotto by the mathematician, antiquarian and archaeologist [[Vincenzo Mirabella]]. It refers to the tyrant [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]]. According to legend, Dionysius used the cave as a prison for political dissidents, and by means of the perfect acoustics eavesdropped on the plans and secrets of his captives. Another legend claims that Dionysius carved the cave in its shape so that it would amplify the screams of prisoners being tortured in it.{{ | The name of the cave was coined in 1608 by the painter [[Caravaggio]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.algila.it/en/syracuse-and-surrounding/ortigia/l-orecchio-di-dionisio-the-ear-of-dionysius-in-syracuse-/126/|title=Turismo a Siracusa - Algila|access-date=28 May 2018|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230141133/https://www.algila.it/en/syracuse-and-surrounding/ortigia/l-orecchio-di-dionisio-the-ear-of-dionysius-in-syracuse-/126/|url-status=dead}}</ref> who was shown the grotto by the mathematician, antiquarian and archaeologist [[Vincenzo Mirabella]]. It refers to the tyrant [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]]. According to legend, Dionysius used the cave as a prison for political dissidents, and by means of the perfect acoustics eavesdropped on the plans and secrets of his captives.{{Refn|name=IannaceEtAl2}} Another legend claims that Dionysius carved the cave in its shape so that it would amplify the screams of prisoners being tortured in it.{{refn|{{cite book| last=Newell| first=Walter R.| date=2019| title=Tyrants: Power, Injustice, and Terror| publisher=Cambridge University Press| page=51| isbn=978-1-108-71391-7}}}} The sound-focusing effect can no longer be heard because access to the focal point is no longer possible.{{Refn|{{cite book| last=Iannace| first=G.| last2=Marletta| first2=L.| last3=Sicurella| first3=F.| last4=Ianiello | first4=Elvira|date=2010| title=InterNoise 2010| chapter=Acoustic Measurements in the Ear of Dionysus at Syracuse (Italy)| page=2|url=https://www.academia.edu/32922380/| via=Academia.edu| url-access=registration}}|name=IannaceEtAl2}} Visitors to the cave can however still hear the echo while they are in the Ear of Dionysius.{{cn|date=August 2023}} | ||
Because of its reputation for acoustic flawlessness, the Ear of Dionysius has also come to refer to a type of [[ear trumpet]] that has a flexible tube. The term 'Ear of Dionysius' can also refer to surveillance, specifically for political gain.{{cn|date=August 2023}} | Because of its reputation for acoustic flawlessness, the Ear of Dionysius has also come to refer to a type of [[ear trumpet]] that has a flexible tube. The term 'Ear of Dionysius' can also refer to surveillance, specifically for political gain.{{cn|date=August 2023}} | ||
== In popular culture == | == In popular culture == | ||
The cave is featured as the location of the tomb of [[Archimedes]] in the 2023 film ''[[Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny]]''.{{ | The cave is featured as the location of the tomb of [[Archimedes]] in the 2023 film ''[[Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny]]''. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Mangold |first1=James |title=Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny |date=2023 |publisher=Walt Disney Pictures |time=1:41:30}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[List of caves]] | *[[List of caves]] | ||
*[[List of caves in Italy]] | *[[List of caves in Italy]] | ||
*{{anli|Whispering gallery}} | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| Line 70: | Line 69: | ||
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Syracuse, Sicily]] | [[Category:Buildings and structures in Syracuse, Sicily]] | ||
[[Category:Ancient Syracuse]] | [[Category:Ancient Syracuse]] | ||
[[Category:Ear]] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:03, 27 October 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The Ear of Dionysius (Template:Langx) is a limestone cave carved out of the Temenites hill in the city of Syracuse, on the island of Sicily in Italy. Its name, given by the painter Michelangelo da Caravaggio, comes from its similarity in shape to the human ear; it has also been linked to a legend that the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse engineered or used the cave's acoustic properties to amplify the voices or screams of prisoners interred and tortured there.
Geology
The Ear of Dionysius was most likely formed out of an old limestone quarry. It is 23 metres high and extends 65 metres back into the cliff. Horizontally, it bends in an approximate "S" shape; vertically it is tapered at the top like a teardrop. Because of its shape, the Ear has extremely good acoustics, making even a small sound resonate throughout the cave.Template:Refn
Purpose
This cave was dug in Greek/Roman times to provide water storage for Syracuse. A narrow tunnel was dug first. This tunnel was widened by digging down and sideways afterwards, giving the cave its unusual shape. The small narrow tunnel is still visible on the top of this artificial cave. An earthquake struck this areaScript error: No such module "Unsubst". causing damage, and the cave became unusable for water storage afterwards.
History
The name of the cave was coined in 1608 by the painter Caravaggio,[1] who was shown the grotto by the mathematician, antiquarian and archaeologist Vincenzo Mirabella. It refers to the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse. According to legend, Dionysius used the cave as a prison for political dissidents, and by means of the perfect acoustics eavesdropped on the plans and secrets of his captives.Template:Refn Another legend claims that Dionysius carved the cave in its shape so that it would amplify the screams of prisoners being tortured in it.Template:Refn The sound-focusing effect can no longer be heard because access to the focal point is no longer possible.Template:Refn Visitors to the cave can however still hear the echo while they are in the Ear of Dionysius.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Because of its reputation for acoustic flawlessness, the Ear of Dionysius has also come to refer to a type of ear trumpet that has a flexible tube. The term 'Ear of Dionysius' can also refer to surveillance, specifically for political gain.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In popular culture
The cave is featured as the location of the tomb of Archimedes in the 2023 film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. [2]
See also
Notes
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".