GRK AMPHITHEATRE Flashcards
seating area - the first tier of seating, starting from the orchestra, is called…
the theatron proper
θέατρον
seating area - the tier furthest away from the orchestra is called…
the epitheatron
ἐπιθέατρον
the circular area surrounded by the seating structure is called…
the orchestra
ορχήστρα
The orchestra is where the choir performed; it is NOT the actual stage - that is on a raised platform, further back, part of an architectural structure.
the tiny cylindrical structure at the centre of the orchestra is called…
the thymele
θυμέλη
a tiny altar to Dyonisos (Διόνυσος), protector of the arts.
the structure could also be a parallelepiped.
seating area - a vertical segment of the seating structure (shaped like a piece of cake) is called…
a kerkis
κερκίς
seating area - the vertical grooves dividing the amphitheatre into segments are actually flights of stairs, and they are called…
Κλίμακα
plural: Κλίμακες
the drain around the orchestra is called…
the euripos
εὔριπος
seating area - the entire seating area is known as:
the koilon
κοίλος
(pron. kios)
seating area - the walkways between the tiers of seating
diazoma
διάζωμα
seating area - the first row, reserved to VIPs is called…
the prohedria
προεδρία
The word is derived from the verb προεδρεύω, which means “to preside” or “to sit in front”. The root of the word is προ, which means “before”, and έδρα, which means “seat”.
Note, in passing, that the word ‘cathedral’ contains the Greek word for seat - indeed, a cathedral is the ‘seat’ of a bishop.
the architectural structure facing the amphitheatre is called…
the skene
σκηνή
the colonnade, architrave and beams that hold up the stage is called…
the proskenion
προσκήνιον
the two wings of the architectural structure facing the amphitheatre are called…
the paraskenia
singular: παρασκήνιο
plural: παρασκήνια (neuter gender)
They’re the wings of the structure, and were used for storage.
In contemporary language, known as parascenium
the public access doorways are called…
parodos
πάροδος
plural: πάροδοι
the flat roof of the architectural structure facing the amphitheatre is called…
the theologeion
θεολογείον
From Bard, Google’s AI:
The word “θεολογείον” (theologeion) has two key components:
θεός (theos): This word means “god” or “deity.”
-λόγος (-logos): This suffix often refers to “speech,” “word,” “discourse,” or “study.”
Therefore, the term literally translates to “place of god’s speech” or “place of discourse about the gods.”
Here’s a breakdown of how the meaning evolved:
Original context: In ancient Greek theatre, the “theologeion” was a raised platform or section used by characters representing gods or divine messengers to deliver their pronouncements to the audience. Hence, the literal meaning of “place of god’s speech” fit perfectly.
Broadening meaning: Over time, the term expanded beyond solely theatrical contexts. It began to refer to any place dedicated to religious discourse, such as a temple, sanctuary, or shrine where priests or religious leaders spoke about the gods and performed rituals.
Theological studies: Eventually, “theologeion” evolved further to encompass the study of theology itself. It signified the intellectual space or field dedicated to understanding and discussing religious matters.
In modern Greek, “θεολογείον” still retains some of its older meanings, referring to theological faculties or seminaries. However, the term mainly carries the academic meaning of “theology” in English and other languages.
the trapdoor on the flat roof of the architectural structure is called…
the anapiesma
ἀναπίεσμα
It was used to make a divine character appear, in a fashion different to the crane’s.
The word litterally means “that which presses upward.”
the crane on the flat roof of the architectural structure is called…
the mechane
μηχανή
The term seems to be generic, referencing a mechanical device. It may be that a more specific description of the device would be ‘baroulkón’
the stage (the terrace on the architectural structure) is called…
the logeion
λογεῖον
the revolving backgrounds at the back of the stage are called…
periaktos
περίακτος
the trapdoor in the surface of the orchestra is called…
Charonian Stairway or Charon’s Steps
Χαρώνιοι Κλíμακες
Charon was the mythological ferryman who conveyed the souls of the dead across the Styx. The stairway was used by actors impersonating the chthonic deities or ghostly apparitions.
a low platform that rolled on wheels or revolved on an axis and could be pushed on stage to reveal an interior or some off-stage scene such as a tableau. It was introduced to the Attic stage in the 5th century to provide directors with a device for clarifying the action.
the ekkyklema
εκκύκλημα
> note, in the word, the ‘κύκλη’ bit, derived from the word ‘κύκλος’, meaning circle. In modern english, the word cycle is derived from the word ‘κύκλος’.
actor
hypokritēs
ὑποκριτής
walls flanking the seating structure
analemmata
ἀναλήμματα
Theatre of Epidaurus
At the start of the twentieth century, the retaining wall (analemmata) and the gate of the western entrance were restored.
From 1954 to 1963 the Theatre underwent large-scale restorations and reconstructions of sections that were completely destroyed. Today, the Theatre at Epidaurus is considered the best-preserved theatre in Greece.
door at the back of the stage
thyromata
θυρώματα
seating area - the benches are called…
edolia
εδώλια
Οι κερκίδες, τα εδώλια, η ορχήστρα και το σκηνικό οικοδόμημα.
https://bit.ly/3p73vXc
Aeschylus
- write name in Greek
- born/died
- major plays
- Αἰσχύλος
- 525 - 456BC
Plays:
- The Persians (472BC)
- Seven Against Thebes (467BC)
- the Oresteia trilogy (458BC)
- Agamemnon
- Libation Bearers
- Eumenides
- Prometheus Bound - date disputed
Aristophanes
- write name in Greek
- born/died
- major plays
- Ἀριστοφάνης
- 446 - 386 BC (circa dates)
Major plays:
(surviving plays)
- The Acharnians, 425 BC
- The Knights, 424 BC
- The Clouds original 423 BC (revised version survives)
- The Wasps, 422 BC
- Peace, 421 BC
- The Birds, 414 BC
- Lysistrata, 411 BC
- The Women Celebrating the Thesmophoria, 411 BC
- The Frogs, 405 BC
- The Assembly women, c. 392 BC
- Wealth, 388 BC (second version)
Aristophanes wrote a total of 40 plays.
the so-called tragedy boot
ἐμβάτης
The term “ἐμβάτης” specifically refers to the footwear with elevated soles that actors would wear to increase their height on stage. It is derived from the Greek word “ἐμβαίνω” (embainō), which means “to step on” or “to go upon.” The term emphasizes the elevated nature of the shoes and their function in providing added height to the actors. (the definition was generated by Chat GPT on 08.06.2023)
