Ancient Greek Theater

Main Purpose

• To honor Dionysus, the god of harvest and wine.

• Educational entertainment- used to teach lessons and morals.

• To express the gods and world around them.

Main Parts

• Orchestra- center part of the theatre where the play took place.

Main Parts

• Skene- large rectangular building behind the the orchestra where the actors would change their costumes.

Main Parts

• Audience- was built on a slope and could seat thousands of people.

Three Types Of Plays

Tragedies

• First to be invented

• A character suffers a disastrous end

• Gods usually involved

Comedies

• Second to be invented

• Always had a happy ending

Satires

• Made fun of real people and legends.

• Affected people’s opinions about current events.

• Never made fun of the gods.

Playwrights

• Click on the link below to research the playwrights:

•Aeschylus

•Arsitophanes

•Euripedes

•Sophocles

Greek Masks

• To show the expression on their faces to the audience.

• Helped amplify the actor’s voices.

• Helped actors play more than one character.

Facts

• Masks were made out of linen or cork.• Three male actors played all the roles.• Plays were so important that prisoners

were released from jail so they could be there.

• Aeshylus created dialogue and interacting characters.

• Every city-state had a theatre.• Drama competitions were held for

playwriting and acting.

Greek Words

Analemmata (æ-na-LEM-a-ta)• Supporting or retaining walls for

the audience seating area; more specifically, exterior walls supporting the theatron.

Eisodoi(EYE-soh-doy)

• Two side entrances to orchestra in the Greek theatre; entrance ramps between theatron and skene; .also see parodos.

Skene (SKAY-nay)• (Greek: tent) Building behind the orchestra

originally used for storage but provided a convenient backing for performances.

Pinakes(PIN-a-keez)• Painted panels; temporary scenic

elements usually placed in the openings (thyromata) of the Greek skene.