15 - Theatres Flashcards
Early theatres
Not built in a permanent way. Wooden structures that could be dismantled. Built for performance and
Thorikos
mid-5th cent. BCE. Attica. Takes couple of centuries before Greeks settle on half-circle shape. In Thorikos, mid-5th, shape is not round. Associated with a small distyle in antis temple. Theatrical performances and sports not just for fun, but to celebrate divinities (usually Dionysus). That is, until Hellenistic. Also notable because it is made of stone and not wood - unusual.
Skenographia
Gives a spatial frame for plays/a setting.
Mechane
A crane or structure that is used to make gods appear - dues ex machine
Greek vs Roman theatres
Roman orchestra half circle while Greek is full. Scene of Roman spans diameter of theatre; Greek is smaller. Cavena follows the shape of the orchestra exactly in Roman; in Greek kilos goes a little beyond a half circle. Difference in the landscape - substructures used to support Roman theatre as it was not built on hill; Greek theatre built on a hill, using natural landscape.
Dionysos Theatre in Athens
I - second half 6th cent. Hill worked to facilitate seating of audience but no permanent building and the orchestra was not defined as round yet.
II - second half 5th cent. Round orchestra. No obstruction of view from koilon to temple. Petrification starting in lower parts of cavea.
Renovated in 4th century - stone - what we see today - huge theatrical space. Two diazomata, one of which makes a circle around the acropolis, creating an association. Portico disconnects temple and theatre. Unfortunately the blocks of this were perfect for building houses
Theatre in the sanctuary of Asclepios
330/20, Epidauros. Could seat over 10000 people. Small city so this was not built primarily for locals but for visitors who came for the sanctuary of Asclepios.
Theatre, Sparta
Late 1st cent BCE/early 1st CE. A temple with a Greek and Roman mixup. This is a city with close connections to Rome rather early. Also famous because of evidence of a movable scene - playing around with architecture. Was moveable because the theatre had a good view of the city.
Odeion of Agrippa
15 BCE, Agora. Until the Roman imperial period, the Agora was kept open. Crowded with architecture in the imperial period. Primary difference was a smaller theatre within a building (covered). Used primarily for competitions in music and oratory.
Periklean Odeion
Oldest one in Athens. Pausanias said it was the most amazing Greek building. Many columns supporting wooden roof, allegedly made form captured Persian ships.
City Dionysia
In the month Elaphebolion (March/April). Most important drama competition. Tragedies consisted of a trilogy + satyricon. Comedy - victor was not actually the writer but the person who funded it.
Vase painting of tragic actor
4th century BCE. Holding a tragic mask.
Red-Figure Crater depicting Dionysos and Ariadne
400 BCE, Pronomos painter. Dionysos and Ariadne in center - realm of myth and religion. Representation either right before or after a specific play, as there are actors all dressed up. Conflation of reality and mythology, as everything happens through Dionysos.
Theatrical scenes on a vase
More common in Magna Grecia.
Red-Figure Kalyx Crater showing comedy
350 BCE. In comedy, male genitals, stomachs, and butts are larger than life.
