The size of the theater is justified by the requirements of the Naia, an old festival whose origins are obscure, but one that became hugely popular (and more elaborate) during the reign of King Pyrrhus. He turned Naia into a panhellenic event, equal to the Olympics, that featured athletic games, musical contests, and drama enacted in the theatre. Today this sacred edifice has become an arena. The orchestra is covered with soil and the first two rows of seats have been removed and a wall has been built to protect the spectators from the wild animals. There is even a recess in the center of the wall in case the people in the arena need a temporary shelter. Unfortunately, people today don’t view drama as a religious event but consider the theater a source of frequent entertainment.