The Origins of the Greek
Theater
7th Century BC
c. 625
God of Wine
Greek –
Dionysus
Roman –
Bacchus
As the god
associated with wine
and wine miracles,
Dionysus fostered
intoxication, which
can lead to positive
relaxation as well as
to self-destructive
passion and actions.
Dancing and
freedom from
stresses of daily
life were part of
the rituals.
Maenads were
female followers of
Dionysus who
performed frenzied
“raving” dances.
The Dithyramb:
The precursor to drama
• A dithyramb is a
hymn to the god
Dionysus, a choral
song accompanied
by flute.
• The members of
the chorus were
disguised in
animals (goats)
and called Satyrs.
The Great Dionyssia
New tragedies were
presented during
the Great
Dionyssia, the
biggest celebration.
This celebration
lasted for six days.
On the first day, the
sacred parade took
place (foreigners
were allowed to
participate).
• Over the next two days, dithyrambic
dancing contests were held.
• During the last three days, drama
contests were organized.
Theater of Dionysus, Athens
Only three poets were allowed to participate
each year, chosen by The Honorable Archon. To
participate, a poet had to submit a tetralogy:
three tragedies and one satiric drama. The
expenses for the chorus were covered by
Sponsors (choregoi), wealthy Athenians.
Dionysus Riding
a Leopard
The herald announced the name of the
winner and the Honorable Archon placed
on the winner's head a crown of ivy, the
holy plant of Dionysus.
Ancient Greek Theatre of Epidaurus
aurus"
Skene
Parados
Orchestra
Thymele
Theatron
Sequence of the Play
Prologue was presented in Prose
• Parodos was a sung Lyric
• First episode (episodion) Prose
• First stasimon
Lyric
• Second episode
Prose
• Second stasimon… Lyric......
• Exodus Prose
Tragedy
• Satyr, maenad, and a goat
Tragoi (the goats) were the
priests of god Dionysus.
During the festivities for the
God, a goat was sacrificed
and the satyrs sang the
lamentation song for the
sacrificed goat.
The chorus was considered to be the
mouthpiece of society and morality,
and they suffered along with the
heroes.
Movements of the Greek Chorus
Strophe (from the Greek stroph,
meaning a turning) - The first
movement of the chorus in classical
Greek drama from the east side of the
orchestra to the west side
Antistrophe – the returning movement
of the chorus from west to east, in
response to the strophe
When a leading actor (called a hypocrite)
replied to the chorus, it was part of the
continuing plot. (The word "hypocrite"
derives from the verb apocrinomai, which
in Greek means "to reply").
Timeline of the Development
of Greek Theater
536-533
Thespis - put on one of the first
tragedies at the festival of the Dionysia in Athens, and
he later pulled a member out of the chorus to become
the first actor
Four Qualities of Greek Drama:
• Performed for special occasions
(festivals)
• Competitive - prizes awarded
• Choral - singing seems to have
been an important part
• Closely associated with religion stories based on myth or history
Aeschylus
• Father of tragedy
Born 525 B.C.
• Added a second actor,
allowing for greater
dramatic variety, while
the chorus played a less
important role
• Introduced dramatic
innovations such as
costumes and scenery
Sophocles
Born c. 496 B.C.
Innovation:
The addition of a
third actor, creating
greater opportunity
for character
development and
conflict between
characters
Euripides (480-406 B.C.)
• Born in 480 BC in Athens
• Wrote 72 works, 19 of which
are saved (18 tragedies and 1
satiric drama)
• His parents were very poor but
he was well-educated
• Close friend to Socrates
• Medea - written 431 B.C.E
• Died violently in 406 in Pella,
killed by wild dogs.
• Characteristics of
Euripides' plays:
– dealt with subjects usually
considered unsuited to the stage
which questioned traditional values
– many practices were to become
popular: using minor myths or
severely altered major ones
– less poetic language, realistic
characterizations and dialog
Common Themes –
• Chance or fate may rule the world more
than gods do.
• People are more concerned with morals
than gods are.
Dodoni Ancient Greek Theater
Epidauros Theater
Works Cited
•
•
•
•
http://www.greektheatre.gr/cult.html
http://www.theoi.com/Gallery/Z12.2.html
www.thereisaway.us/images/GreekChorus
http://www.bartleby.com/61/76/S0817600.ht
ml
• http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/
melani/cs6/tragedy.html
• www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/ancient
_theaters.html