Entertainment theatre Flashcards
1
Q
2 types of Roman festivals
A
- Ludi (games) – theatre and chariot racing
- Usually with religious festivals
(fixed schedule) - Munera (“gifts”) – gladiatorial fights
- Also animal hunts and executions
- Irregular schedule
2
Q
Ludi– games for religious festivals
A
- Regular schedule
- Ludi circenses and ludi scaenici
- Chariot racing and theatre
- State pays for them (magistrates usually contribute too)
- Ludi more frequent than munera
3
Q
Ludi Megalenses, April 4-9
A
- For Cybele (= Magna Mater)
- This cult brought to Rome in 204
- Theatre shows, maybe on steps of temple
- Chariot races in Circus Maximus
- Bring the cult statue to watch them
- Priests: the Galli
4
Q
Ludi scaenici (theatre)
A
- Drama (similar to Greek)
- Mime
- Pantomime
- From 3 rd c. BC: Latin plays inspired by Greek drama
- Performed at festivals
- Famous authors Plautus and Terence
5
Q
Comparison of Greek and Roman theatre
A
Greek
- Citizen actors
- Masks
- Cycle of plays
- Competition
Roman
- Low-status performers (infamia)
- Masks
- One play
- Not competitive (Nero
introduces competition)
6
Q
Roman theatre
A
- Translations and adaptions from Greek plays
- E.g. Plautus
- And others
- Also perform Greek classics
- Seneca (1 st c AD) tragedies
- Not for public performance
7
Q
Pantomime
A
- Dancing out mythological
scenes - Music and chorus
- Racy
- High salaries for stars!
- e.g. Mnester under Claudius
8
Q
Theatre of Pompey, 55 BCE
A
- First stone theatre
- Dedicated to Venus
- Free-standing
- Concrete
9
Q
infamia
A
(bad reputation): “diminution of an individual’s legal privileges (but not the removal of status) as a result of engaging in disreputable behaviour”
10
Q
Athletic competitions in the Greek East
A
- Greek tradition of athletics to honour gods
- e.g. Olympics
- Citizen participants (prestige)
- Continues in Roman period
- Cities
- Sanctuaries
- More events for girls included in the Roman period
11
Q
Athletic competitions in early Roman festivals
A
- Equestrian (esp. chariot racing)
- Boxing
- Boxing stays popular
12
Q
Domitian creates Capitolia games for Jupiter
A
- Musical, equestrian, athletic competitions
- New stadium (Piazza Navona)
- Continue after his death
13
Q
Munera (gifts)
A
- In Republic, held with funerals
- Irregular schedule
- Less frequent than ludi
- Scale increases over time
14
Q
Funding
A
- Republic: all privately funded
- Funerals
- Empire: public funding
- And magistrate contributes
- Emperor controls gladiatorial schools (ludi)
15
Q
Animal hunts (venationes)
A
- Handlers are bestiarii
- Hunters are venatores
