Ancient TheatreGreek and RomanAncient Theatre

Greek and Roman

AmphitheatresAmphitheatres Plays were performed outside The side of the mountain was scooped out

into a bowl shape, and tiers of stone seats were built on the hill.

often seated as many as 20,000

Plays were performed outside The side of the mountain was scooped out

into a bowl shape, and tiers of stone seats were built on the hill.

often seated as many as 20,000

Roman Sea BattlesRoman Sea Battles Performers

actually died! The largest known

sea battle involved 19,000 participants and approximately ½ of them died

Performance spaces are Massive!

Performers actually died!

The largest known sea battle involved 19,000 participants and approximately ½ of them died

Performance spaces are Massive!

theatron ="viewing-place” Word origin for “theatre” where the audience sits and was

usually part of the hillside around the performance space

theatron ="viewing-place” Word origin for “theatre” where the audience sits and was

usually part of the hillside around the performance space

The Greek Chorus

The Greek Chorus

The traditional Greek Chorus usually moves and speaks in unison

The traditional Greek Chorus usually moves and speaks in unison

Functions of the chorus(Know 2)

Functions of the chorus(Know 2)

an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part

ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience would

sets mood and heightens dramatic effects

adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance

pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part

ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience would

sets mood and heightens dramatic effects

adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance

pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

Today’s Greek Chorus

Today’s Greek Chorus

Word OriginWord OriginThespian= relating to drama/ actor or

actresscomes from thespis - a popular greek writer

Thespian= relating to drama/ actor or actress

comes from thespis - a popular greek writer

Word OriginWord Origin

The word “comedy” comes from the Greek word “komos” which means “band of revelers.”

The word “comedy” comes from the Greek word “komos” which means “band of revelers.”

The ActorsThe Actors All of the actors were men.

Women were not allowed to participate.

The actors played multiple roles. a wooden, cork, or linen mask was used to show the change in character or mood.

The actor made himself taller by wearing thick soled platform shoes

All of the actors were men. Women were not allowed to participate.

The actors played multiple roles. a wooden, cork, or linen mask was used to show the change in character or mood.

The actor made himself taller by wearing thick soled platform shoes

CostumesCostumes standard Greek attire with masks standard Greek attire with masks

The Theatre

ofDionysus

The Theatre

ofDionysus

built at the beginning of the 5th century Dionysus: greek god of wine and

festivity “God of the fun stuff”

built at the beginning of the 5th century Dionysus: greek god of wine and

festivity “God of the fun stuff”

Dionysus FestivalDionysus Festival

'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.

This festival featured competitions in music, dance, plays, and poetry.

'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.

This festival featured competitions in music, dance, plays, and poetry.

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement The entire city would be in attendance. All other businesses not directly

involved with the 6-day festival would shut down so that everyone could attend.

The government even offered financial assistance to those who could not afford to attend.

The entire city would be in attendance. All other businesses not directly

involved with the 6-day festival would shut down so that everyone could attend.

The government even offered financial assistance to those who could not afford to attend.

And the grand prize…

And the grand prize…

TragedyTragedy The word

tragedy came to be derived from the Greek traigos (goat) and ode (poem). Tragedy literally means goat song or goat poem.

The word tragedy came to be derived from the Greek traigos (goat) and ode (poem). Tragedy literally means goat song or goat poem.

Important Playwrights(know 2)

Important Playwrights(know 2)

AeschylusSophoclesEuripidesAristophanes

AeschylusSophoclesEuripidesAristophanes

Death by tortoiseDeath by tortoiseAeschylus has one of the strangest

claims to fame. He was bald, and the story goes that a passing eagle, looking for a rock on which to drop and crack open a tortoise in order to eat it, dropped it on him by mistake, killing him outright.

Aeschylus has one of the strangest claims to fame. He was bald, and the story goes that a passing eagle, looking for a rock on which to drop and crack open a tortoise in order to eat it, dropped it on him by mistake, killing him outright.

The fate of the tortoise was not recorded.

The fate of the tortoise was not recorded.