Among the classical papers on architecture none is more voluminous or respected than the ten books of De Architectura by the Roman Vitruvius, which date from about 27 B.C. Book V adequately demonstrates the writer’s familiarity with the importance of acoustics, especially in the building of theaters, where, following an extensive exposition of the principles of the Greek science, he discusses the employment of sounding vases in theaters to enhance sound production. Vitruvius writes: