Theatre of Dionysus in Athens Flashcards
What shape is the theatre?
Horseshoe shaped
What is the part where the audience sits called?
The Theatron which means ‘seeing place’
What is the front row where important people sit called, and who sat in the centre seat?
The prohedra, the priest of Dionyus.
What are the spaces in between sections in the theatron where theatregoers could easily get to their seats called?
Diazoma
What is the space where the chorus would be called?
Orchestra which means ‘dancing space’
What is found in the middle of the orchestra?
Altar
The stage is split into two parts; what are they called?
The Pro-Skene is at the front, and the Skene is at the back.
What is the space to the side of the pro-skene called where the chorus enters?
Parados
Is the theatre open-aired, or does it have a roof?
Open-aired
How many people can fit inside?
15,000 people
How many chorus members are there in tragedy and comedy?
Tragedy: 12 to 15
Comedy: 24
Who was the chorus made out of?
Ordinary amateur Athenians drawn by lot - probably as part of military training.
Who were the actors?
Trained men from aristocratic families.
How many actors were in a play?
3
How did the theatre’s layout benefit audience enjoyment?
-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.
How did the theatre’s layout negatively affect the audience’s enjoyment?
-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
What is the Ekkyklema?
A platform on wheels which was often used to wheel out dead bodies.
What is the Mechane?
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.
