I managed half of Brutus' speech standing in the centre of this most amazing theatre at Epidhavros: old age and memory! Though my version was Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your ears...
There were eight people at the very top and when I had finished I asked them if they could hear me - they applauded me and said :' Yes, very clearly.' Apparently you can drop a coin where I am standing and it is heard throughout, even the very top! That's me, the little dot in the centre down there LOL :O)
Here's another version of the speech:
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar
was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:
--Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
A little closer - me giving the speech:
This theatre is just one section of the Ancient Healing Sanctury of Asklepieion. It was the largest healing centre of antiquity!
There were eight people at the very top and when I had finished I asked them if they could hear me - they applauded me and said :' Yes, very clearly.' Apparently you can drop a coin where I am standing and it is heard throughout, even the very top! That's me, the little dot in the centre down there LOL :O)
Here's another version of the speech:
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me
for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar
was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:
--Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live
all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;
as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was
valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I
slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his
fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his
ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If
any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak;
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.
A little closer - me giving the speech:
This theatre is just one section of the Ancient Healing Sanctury of Asklepieion. It was the largest healing centre of antiquity!
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