Greek Theater
Built in the 4th Century
B.C., the Theater at
Delphi sits just above
the Temple of Apollo.
Built using the natural
surrounding resource of
Parnassus Limestone.
Built to accommodate 5,000
spectators in 35 rows.
Courtesy of Archivision.com
The front of the stage would have been decorated with a frieze of
the Labors of Herakles.
The inscriptions on the frieze refer to the rebuilding of the theater
by Eumenes II in 160/159 B.C.
Eleven of the twelve slabs are preserved and are located in the
Archeological Museum in Delphi.
The theater was not only
used to showcase dramatic
performances but also to hold
poetry readings and musical
events during the yearly
festivals.
Festivals promoted
competitions in music,
singing, dance, and poetry
and the winners were named
Thespis.
Courtesy of Archivision.com
Plays are composed of:
 Theme
 Symbolism
 Allegory
Origins of Greek Drama
 Ancient hymns or dithyrambs were adapted for choral
processions in honor of the god Dionysus.
 Mythical or Historical stories were the basis upon which plays
were written.
 Comedy and Tragedy later became the most popular genres.
 The first comedies were satirical and mocked men in power for
their vanity and foolishness.
 Tragedies were based upon love, loss, pride, and the
relationship between gods and man.
Masks were generally used by the actors.
Masks were made to have exaggerated
facial expressions as well as different
lengths and colors of hair.
Only men were allowed to perform and
these made it possible to portray women
characters as well.
Masks served to help the audience identify
the sex, age, and social rank of the
characters.