The South Slope of the Acropolis is where ancient Athens invented Western theatre. In 534 BCE, a man named Thespis introduced dialogue to what had been ritual dances for Dionysus, giving us the word thespian and creating the first theatrical performance. The Theatre of Dionysus grew from wooden bleachers to a stone amphitheatre seating 17,000, where works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes premiered.

More than a thousand plays were performed here in the 5th century BCE alone. The priest of Dionysus sat centre stage in an elaborate throne with lion legs, surrounded by 66 other priests who got the best seats.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus tells a darker story. Built in 160 CE after Herodes Atticus's pregnant wife was found beaten to death, it was either a lavish memorial to prove his innocence or an expensive cover-up. He walked free from trial in Rome. The odeon had a cedar roof spanning the entire seating area with no vertical supports, a feat of engineering for what was essentially a concert hall. The Stoa of Eumenes connected the two theatres, providing a grand foyer where audiences could socialise during intermissions.

VoiceMap's self-guided audio tours explore the south slope's theatrical heritage, connecting Thespis's innovation to the modern Athens Festival that still fills these ancient spaces with performances each summer.