Source: Basel Dance Vase

Question 1

When is the Basel dance vase dated ?

Answer 1

500-490 BC

Question 2

What is the significance of the Basel dance vase

Answer 2

• one of the only sources that depicts the chorus+ members wearing diadems
• ornate and decorative wear similar to that of the Pronomos vase with detailed wear and slight orientalization of their dress
• performing bare foot
• object on the left might be individual rising from behind altar or idol of Dionysus as the ribbons clearly Indicate religion- altar repressing a tomb and the figure rising up might be a deceased person
• all individuals are expressing the same expression with the same characteristics and open gaping mouths so likely to be wearing masks, their movements are all fairly uniform

Question 3

What are the limitations of this sources usefulness ?

Answer 3

• lack of scene setting, no speech or information leaving us unsure as to what their role might be at this point could it be mood setting ? Could it be commentator or scene setting
• no evidence as to figure/ object on the left
• provenance holds significance as a limitation due to later developments in the chorus we might be unaware of and we don’t see any evidence of this

Question 4

What are the three biggest limitations ?

Answer 4

• Basel dance vase is dated to 480BC, holds great significance as it brings into question the developments of tragedy. Since tragedy originated in 6th Century BC Athens and date is 5th Century BC it provides information about their earlier aspects. Likely later developments therefore hindering usefulness
• unclear nature of the scene, no evidence as to the idol/ figure in the left hand side behind the altar, unclear role of chorus assisting in mood setting or perhaps choral dance as suggested by open mouths and uniform movements. Therefore hinders our understanding.
• the chorus’s depiction is dubious in its accuracy: no footwear unlike traditional actors who we would expect to wear a form of footwear such soft leather boots known as kothornoi, no masks given this we are left questioning wether this was a typical chorus of the early 5th century or or a realistic one

Question 5

What are the two easiest points for why the vase is useful?

Answer 5

• physical uniformity of chorus members: body of actors clearly depicted in same clothing tunic and lack of footwear+ headpiece of a diadem. Perhaps resembling a military outfit. We can synthesized the chorus were uniformed body of actors and identical in depiction to encourage an audience to focus of the message of the chorus not individual members
• uniformity not limited to appearance but also physical actions: each member displays the same open mouthed expression possibly to suggest singing at this point of performance. Each member leaning back on left foot with booth arms raised in direction of altar( most likely in a dance) . We can see the chorus acted as one body which helped to see them as a group presence on stage

Question 6

What can we comment on the dance ?

Answer 6

We cannot really know what the dance would have consisted of or looked like or what the song would have sounded like
- it is a static image and so cannot fully capture the movement or sound

Question 7

By the end of the fifth century how many chorus members were there ?

Answer 7

15

Question 8

What is the structure on the left ?

Answer 8

Either a tomb or an altar