Roman Theatre and Drama

Question 1

What are Ludi?

Answer 1

state religious festivals established by Tarquin of Etruria in 6th BC; include Ludi Romani, L. Plebeii, L. Apollinares, L. Megalenses, L. Cerealis, L. Florales

Question 2

Ludi Romani

Answer 2

oldest, in honor of Jupiter, Sept.

Question 3

Ludi PLebeii

Answer 3

(peoples’ festival, Jupiter, Nov.

Question 4

Ludi Apollinares

Answer 4

Apollo, July

Question 5

Ludi Megalenses

Answer 5

Cybele, April

Question 6

Ludi Cerealis

Answer 6

Ceres/Demeter, April

Question 7

Ludi Florales

Answer 7

Flora, April/May; festival of prostitutes, Flora - ROman prostitute whose work funded most of teh theatrical events, pantomimes (often hired prostitutes) would perform, undressed onstage and pratons/aud. members would throw coins with obscene pictures on them

Question 8

Ludi Saenici

Answer 8

theatrical portion of the festival

Question 9

What were the Ludi Festivals like? What did they have to offer?

Answer 9

featured a variety of acts all going on simoultaneaousy (wall climbers, acting bears, floutists, the theatre, etc.)

Question 10

How was Roman theatre organized?

Answer 10

Aedile - organizer; Dominus Greis - manager; grex - actors; Claqus - paid supporters

Question 11

Aedile

Answer 11

organizer, similar to the greek Archon

Question 12

Dominus Gregis

Answer 12

manager of production

Question 13

Grex

Answer 13

persona non grata, group of actors

Question 14

Claquers

Answer 14

individuals who were paid to go to the theatre and were expected to promote the show to others

Question 15

Roman Theatre Conventions

Answer 15

SL to the Forum, SR to foreign lands or harbor; dramaturgic: asides, no verasimilitude, soliloquies, chance meetings, failure to see eavesdroppers, discussions of secrets in public, and general breaking of dramatic illusion

Question 16

Asides

Answer 16

side comments to audience or another character, not heard by all characters

Question 17

Histrione

Answer 17

actor

Question 18

Livius Andronicus

Answer 18

284-204BC. father of Roman theatre, 240 BC, produced a latin verson of a Greek play, established the vogue for adopting Greek and Roman comedies

Question 19

Roman tragedy

Answer 19

often adapted from the greek, Fabula Crepidata, Fabula Togata

Question 20

Fabula Crepidata

Answer 20

free adaptations of Greek tragedies

Question 21

Fabula Togata

Answer 21

comedies written by the ROmans on Roman subjects

Question 22

Characteriostics of Roman Comedy

Answer 22

1. adaptations - Fabula Paliata 2. ELimination of Chorus 3. Musical Accompaniment - cantica (songs) diverbia (dialogue) 4. subject matter, domestic (family) situations, 5. clever plot devices (ex. mistaken identities) 6. action in the street

Question 23

Fabula Palliata

Answer 23

Roman writers looked back to New Comedy NOT Old or Arist. Comedy, mores social and topical than political

Question 24

cantica

Answer 24

songs

Question 25

diverbia

Answer 25

dialogue

Question 26

Plautus

Answer 26

(254-184BC) real name was Titus Machus Plautus “titus clown splayfoot”; plays: The Captives (basis for play by ben johnson) Amphitruo (spinoff of Birth of Hercules, tale of how Zeus impersonated Hercules’ father and impregnated his mother)Miles Gloriosus (“braggart warrior” Shakes. character Falstaff in Henry VI) Manaechmi (basis for Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors); provided much source material for future history of theatre works

Question 27

What is a major Roman theatre (physical)?

Answer 27

Theatre of Marcillus

Question 28

versurae

Answer 28

side wings for scenic entrances

Question 29

scaena

Answer 29

whole stage house

Question 30

frans scaena

Answer 30

decorative/elaborate facade on stage

Question 31

pulpitum

Answer 31

stage performance area

Question 32

aulaeum

Answer 32

front curtain, draperies

Question 33

orchestra

Answer 33

semi-circle, could be completely flooded to stage (for sea battle scenes)

Question 34

velarium

Answer 34

waterproof awning that was applied hooks on top of theatre to cover the patrons in times of icky weather

Question 35

porticus

Answer 35

topmost area/level of the theatre

Question 36

tribunalia

Answer 36

box seating

Question 37

prascincto

Answer 37

divider section allowing one to get to hihger sections

Question 38

aditus maximus

Answer 38

entry to lower area

Question 39

vomitoria

Answer 39

tunnel like pathways to “vomit” forth the patrons

Question 40

bisellia

Answer 40

seats of honor for dignitaries and VIPs of Rome