Context Of Drama Flashcards
What was the Ekkykleima?
A wheeled platform often used to bring action that occurred inside onto the stage/outside and was often used to display dead bodies.
What was the mekhane?
A crane that suspended actors in the air often used for scenes of gods who were resolving disputes evoking phrase Deus Ex machina. It was used in Aristophanes peace where a character flew up to the gods on a dung beetle.
What was the skene?
A wooden hut used as a backdrop and for actors to have costume changes, actors may have appeared on the top when portraying gods
What was the orchestra?
Meaning dancing area and it was at the front of theatron. This is were the chorus of the play performed and they where never on the stage.
What was is prohedria?
The front row of the theatre where officials and political figures sat, the middle seat was reserved for the priest. This was important as humor often referenced those sat in the prohedria and enhanced the experience.
What is the theatron?
Area where the audience sat , translates into watching place.
How were dramatic competitions judged?
Took place at the end of 5 days and was a random process to allow the gods a say in the awarding. A representative of each tribe was chosen at random and at the end of each play the judges cast their votes. The archon picks 5/10 from and urn and the one with the most votes was crowned winner.
What was the theories fund?
A fund for those who could not afford the 2 obol concession to the theatre it was started by Pericles.
What was the proagon?
Event held in the odeion beside the theatre and was a ceremony where the play were introduced and each playwright gave a synopsis
What was the structure of the city dionisia?
Few days prior: Proagon, preview to man in event
Festival eve: torchlight procession
Day one: Pompe (procession to agora) dithyrmbic contest, choral dances and a revel
Day two: opening ceremony 5 comedies
Day 3+4: 3 tragedies and one satyr
Day5; 3 tragedies and one star judging and prize giving
What was a choregos?
Called from Athens wealthy elite they funded a playwright, they paid for costumes, masks,props, special effects and musicals. Wealthy Athenian would have welcomed the role as it meant tat a successful festival brought prestige.
What was an eponymous archon?
One of Athens leading political figures who organised the festival and helped fund it, called eponymous as the year was named after them.
When and what was the city dionisia?
Held in the month of march when seaplanes to Athens reopened so allowed for overseas visitors.
Public business ceased and court where closed, prisoner where given day release. The festival ran 5 days and expanded to include processions, sacrifices and choral processions.
When and what was the rural dionisia?
Held midwinter and was a local festival in the demes of attica of which there where 139. The play performed where often reproduction of one from Athens
How were tribes organised in Athens?
All Athenian citizens were members of 1 tribes, with each tribe forming a political constituency a regiment in the army and had religious duties. In theatres competitions each tribe entered a chorus.
When and what’s was the lenaia?
Festival held in late January with tragedy and comedy competitions. The forgs was first performed at this festival in 405BC.
Due to the time of the year there may have been limited overseas visitors to this festival.
