Theatre of Dionysus in Athens

Question 1

What shape is the theatre?

Answer 1

Horseshoe shaped

Question 2

What is the part where the audience sits called?

Answer 2

The Theatron which means ‘seeing place’

Question 3

What is the front row where important people sit called, and who sat in the centre seat?

Answer 3

The prohedra, the priest of Dionyus.

Question 4

What are the spaces in between sections in the theatron where theatregoers could easily get to their seats called?

Answer 4

Diazoma

Question 5

What is the space where the chorus would be called?

Answer 5

Orchestra which means ‘dancing space’

Question 5

What is found in the middle of the orchestra?

Answer 5

Altar

Question 5

The stage is split into two parts; what are they called?

Answer 5

The Pro-Skene is at the front, and the Skene is at the back.

Question 6

What is the space to the side of the pro-skene called where the chorus enters?

Answer 6

Parados

Question 7

Is the theatre open-aired, or does it have a roof?

Answer 7

Open-aired

Question 8

How many people can fit inside?

Answer 8

15,000 people

Question 9

How many chorus members are there in tragedy and comedy?

Answer 9

Tragedy: 12 to 15
Comedy: 24

Question 10

Who was the chorus made out of?

Answer 10

Ordinary amateur Athenians drawn by lot - probably as part of military training.

Question 11

Who were the actors?

Answer 11

Trained men from aristocratic families.

Question 12

How many actors were in a play?

Answer 12

3

Question 13

How did the theatre’s layout benefit audience enjoyment?

Answer 13

-The circular orchestra is wrapped around by the theatron which creates a visual spectacle and allows all members of the audience to see what is happening.
-The acoustics of the sloping theatron mean you can hear the actors all the way from the back.
-The pro-skene elevates the acctors above the orchestra and chorus, which creates a fourth wall between them and the audience
-Diazoma makes it easier for people to get to their seats.

Question 14

How did the theatre’s layout negatively affect the audience’s enjoyment?

Answer 14

-Open air means that the theatre and audience are at the mercy of the elements
-Some seats were extremely far back so not all the audience members would have an equal view
-Uncomfortable seats

Question 15

What is the Ekkyklema?

Answer 15

A platform on wheels which was often used to wheel out dead bodies.

Question 16

What is the Mechane?

Answer 16

A large crane which could swing a platform containing one or more actors from behind the stage up and over the heads of the other actors and chorus to create the effect of flying.