Themes - Summary 15

Question 1

Theatres prior to 4th century

Answer 1

Constructed of wood

Question 2

When theatres were constructed and reconstructed in stone

Answer 2

4th century

Question 3

Main components of a theatre

Answer 3

koilon/cavea, diazoma, prehedria, kerkis, parodos, skene, preskenion, orchestra

Question 4

Diazoma

Answer 4

Horizontal paths across the rows of the theatre

Question 5

Kerkis

Answer 5

Up and down paths in theatre; intersect with diazoma

Question 6

Role of altar in theatre

Answer 6

Theatre was related to the worship of the gods. Because of this, an altar was an integral part of the orchestra; the theatre was close to temple(s)

Question 7

Origin of the theatre

Answer 7

Likely developed from earlier orchestral ground used by choral dance groups - they danced and sang on circular compacted ground.

Question 8

Prohedria

Answer 8

Area for the rich - front row seats. Throne-like construction

Question 9

Orchestra

Answer 9

Round part from which all things originate. Where the choir performs/a large part of the play takes place

Question 10

Parodos

Answer 10

Areas through which the kilos can be entered

Question 11

Koilon

Answer 11

The seating area in its entirety. Cavea is the Roman term

Question 12

Skene

Answer 12

Even after most theatre are of stone, not all scene are (remain wood)

Question 13

Proskenion

Answer 13

The part of the building that is right in front of the skene

Question 14

Mechane

Answer 14

A crane or structure that is used to make gods appear

Question 15

City Dionysia

Answer 15

A festival in honor of Dionysos in Athens. Held in March/Aprils, were plays were performed over four days.

Question 16

Skenographia

Answer 16

Backdrop - included in the scene

Question 17

Moveable skene

Answer 17

In Sparta - because there was a great view of the city

Question 18

Odeion

Answer 18

Indoor venue where musical performances and competitions in oratory were held.

Question 19

Theatre on vases

Answer 19

More popular in southern Italy/Magna Grecia/ Characters in comedy shown with grotesque masks, padded bellies and rumps, large phallus. Sometimes distortions and reversals of well known scenes. Tragic scenes less common and sometimes harder to identify, as they were less over-the-top. Sometimes a painter will show it is the play via indicating scene, machine, or individuals with masks/costume.