Roman Theatre

Question 1

How was Roman drama influenced by Greek drama?

Answer 1

Roman drama was strongly influenced by Greek drama because many Greeks had settled in southern Italy

Question 2

When were Roman plays typically performed?

Answer 2

Roman plays were often performed during religious festivals.

Question 3

How were Roman plays funded?

Answer 3

They were funded partly by public funds and partly by senior politicians, offering opportunities for gaining popularity.

Question 4

What did wealthy benefactors contribute to Roman theatre?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 4

-funded the construction
-upgrading of theatre buildings and facilities
-sponsoring the plays themselves

Question 5

When was the first major stone theatre in Rome built?

Answer 5

The middle of the first century BC.

Question 6

How did theatres in southern Italy differ from those in Rome?

Answer 6

Permanent theatres appeared earlier in southern Italy due to closer contact with the Greeks.

Question 7

What is significant about the theatre district in Pompeii?

Answer 7

It had two theatres next to each other at the southern end of the city.

Question 8

What was the capacity of the larger Pompeian theatre?

Answer 8

Approximately 4,000 spectators.

Question 9

Who funded major improvements to the larger Pompeian theatre?

Answer 9

The Holconii family.

Question 10

What materials were used for the upgraded seating in the Pompeian theatre?

Answer 10

Marble

Question 11

What architectural feature did the seating in the Pompeian theatre follow?

Answer 11

Built into a hillside, following the Greek fashion.

Question 12

How were seats allocated in Roman theatres?
(Name 3 sections)

Answer 12

-VIPs in the lower marble rows.
-Free citizens behind the VIPs.
-Freedmen, slaves, and women in the back rows.

Question 13

What feature protected spectators from the sun?

Answer 13

An awning.

Question 14

What were the three distinct elements of the performing area?

Answer 14

-The scaenae frons (back wall).
-The stage.
-The semi-circular orchestra.

Question 15

What was the scaenae frons and how was it decorated?

Answer 15

The elaborately decorated back wall, adorned with statues and columns, often painted and sometimes up to three storeys tall.

Question 16

What was unique about the Roman theatre curtain?

Answer 16

It came down at the start of the play instead of going up.

Question 17

What was the orchestra used for in Roman theatres?

Answer 17

Mainly as seating for VIPs, though occasionally for acting in revivals of Greek plays.

Question 18

How was the stage constructed?

Answer 18

Made of wood, set on pillars, with an area below for manoeuvring stage machinery and props.

Question 19

What purpose did the back wall of the stage serve?

Answer 19

It was over a meter high and made of elaborate stone for decoration.

Question 20

Which two genres of plays were featured on the Roman stage due to Greek influence?

Answer 20

Tragedy and comedy.

Question 21

By which century had Roman tragedy declined in popularity?

Answer 21

The first century BC.

Question 22

Who were the two greatest writers of Roman comedy?

Answer 22

Plautus and Terence.

Question 23

On whose works did Plautus and Terence base their plays

Answer 23

Menander, a Greek playwright.

Question 24

What were some common tropes of Roman comedies?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 24

-Love affairs.
-Confusions of identity.
-Conflicts between fathers and sons.
-Clever slaves outwitting their masters.

Question 25

What were typical stock characters in Roman comedy?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 25

-The flatterer.
-The lecherous old man.
-The boastful soldier.

Question 26

What modern genre can Roman comedies be compared to?

Answer 26

Sitcoms, as their plots were based on everyday social situations and behaviour.

Question 27

How were Roman comedies often accompanied?

Answer 27

With music.

Question 28

Who played female parts in Roman comedies

Answer 28

Male actors, as there were no female actors.

Question 29

What type of costumes did actors wear in Roman comedies?

Answer 29

Greek-style costumes, such as tunics and cloaks for men and dresses and cloaks for women.

Question 30

Why did actors wear masks, and what did they signify?

Answer 30

Masks indicated specific character types, with attached hair showing age or role:
-Old men: white or grey hair.
-Young men: dark hair.
-Slaves: red hair.

Question 31

What practical benefit did masks provide to actors?

Answer 31

They allowed actors to play more than one part.

Question 32

Where might scenes from Roman comedies be performed besides the theatre?

Answer 32

At private dinner parties(cena) or gatherings.

Question 33

By the first century AD, which two forms of dramatic performance overtook comedy and tragedy in popularity?

Answer 33

Mime and pantomime.

Question 34

How does Roman mime differ from modern mime?

Answer 34

Roman mime involved actors speaking.

Question 35

Where could mimes and pantomimes be performed?

Answer 35

In the theatre, in other public places, or at private performances.

Question 36

What elements did a Roman mime performance typically include?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 36

-Acrobatics
-song and dance
-jokes
-conjuring
-simple plot.

Question 37

What were common themes in Roman mime?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 37

-Sex
-parody of city life
-political satire
-scenes from everyday life.

Question 38

What are examples of typical plots in Roman mime?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 38

-Kidnappings
-cuckolds
-lovers hidden in convenient chests.

Question 39

What did pantomime replace as a form of performance?

Answer 39

Tragedy

Question 40

What was unique about a pantomime performance?

Answer 40

A single actor played all the roles in a ballet-style performance without speaking or singing.

Question 41

What typically accompanied a pantomime performance?

Answer 41

Musicians or a singer.

Question 42

What kind of scenes were often performed in pantomime?

Answer 42

Scenes from Greek tragedies.

Question 43

What qualities did a pantomime actor need to have

Answer 43

Versatility to play multiple roles (male, female, young, old) and the ability to change costumes and masks.

Question 44

What does graffiti at Pompeii suggest about pantomime’s popularity?

Answer 44

Pantomime was wildly popular, and famous actors like Paris were adored by fans.

Question 45

How were actors typically organised?

Answer 45

Into troupes led by a troupe leader.

Question 46

From which social groups were most actors drawn?

Answer 46

Slaves or lower classes.

Question 47

What indicates that competition between troupes was intense?

Answer 47

Prizes were awarded, and supporters were stationed to applaud at the right moments.

Question 48

Despite their low social status, what could some successful actors achieve

Answer 48

Fame and great wealth.

Question 49

How did Roman audiences react to theatre performances?

Answer 49

They could be wildly supportive or brutally critical.

Question 50

What negative behaviours are mentioned about Roman theatre audiences?
(Name 3 things)

Answer 50

-Hissing or booing actors off stage for mistakes.
-Ushers walking in front of spectators.
-Late arrivals disrupting the performance.
-Slaves sitting in seats reserved for free men.
-Mothers bringing crying babies.