When in Rome, do as the
Romans do…
Roman Theatre WebQuest
Objective
• In this WebQuest, you will learn about
Roman Theatre… what they did and how
they did it.
• Make sure to write the notes from the slides
in addition to writing the questions. Also, as
you read from the web pages, take down any
notes that feel important.
•Don’t forget to click on pictures as well
as links. There’s lots of information for
you to find!
Romans conquered…
Click on the map to read about the history of the Roman Empire.
Romans built…
To make theatre available to large numbers of people, the Romans build many impressive theatres
throughout the empire. They redesigned the Greek amphitheater, though they kept similar
features:
1.
The Cavea (the Greek theatron, or seating area for audience)
2.
The orchestra
3.
The Scaena (The Greek Skene, or scene house)
Click on the Greek Theater
building for more information
about Greek Theatre.
Costumes and masks were worn to allow
the audience to follow along. Click on
the Roman theater and answer these
questions:
1.
What color mask did male characters
have?
2.
What color mask did female characters
have?
3.
Describe the costumes of the following:
1.
Rich man
2.
Boy
3.
Soldier
4.
Poor man
5.
slave
Romans laughed…
Plautus
Roman playwrights took Greek New Comedy
and perfected their own brand of comedy,
which became immensely popular with the
masses. They:
1. eliminated the chorus,
2. added music and
3. put a greater emphasis on eavesdropping
which led to frequent misunderstandings
and complications.
These comedies influenced Shakespeare and
modern day sitcoms.
4. What is the play written by
Plautus that Shakespeare based
The Comedy of Errors on?
Click on Plautus to find out.
Terence
5. Give three examples of how
Terence’s comedies differed
from Plautus’s.
Click on Terence to read more.
Romans cried…
Roman tragedy was written after the first
century B.C.E. and was not meant for large
public performances. Roman society was far
more interested in spectacular
entertainments. Although, there is a tragic
playwright worth noting:
Seneca.
• 6. What were Seneca’s tragedies copies of?
– Copies?!?! Hint: Look at paragraphs 3-4 in particular.
• 7. What were Seneca’s tragedies best known for?
– Find out here.
Romans played…
Romans are not considered originators of great drama;
however, they did develop a variety of popular entertainments
which appeal to all levels of society. These are presentations
often of a more basic nature than theatre based on a written
text. At the same time, popular entertainments frequently have
strong theatrical elements such as dancing, pantomime,
costumes and impersonation.
• Click on each type to find out more information.
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Pantomime and Mime
Naumachiae
Chariot Racing
Gladiatorial Combat
Pantomime
and Mime
Click on the picture to find out more about
it. Is it a mime or a pantomime?
8. What did a pantomime resemble?
•
What we think about when we
hear the word “mime” is not
necessarily what it meant in
Ancient Rome. Today,
“Pantomime” and “Mime” are
basically the same thing.
How did these terms differ in
Rome? The results may
surprise you.
Click here for more information.
9. Give 5 characteristics of Roman
mime.
•
Find out here.
Back to Romans played…
An interesting way to get rid of
your criminals…
Naumachiae
(pronounced “no-maykee-ee”) were actual
naval battles to the
death staged on lakes,
artificial bodies of
water, or in flooded
arenas, such as the
Colosseum.
10. Who was the first naumachiae for and
what was the occasion?
Click on the picture to find out.
Back to Romans played…
Ancient Nascar
Romans held
chariot races in
buildings called
hippodromes.
One of the most famous scenes in
movie history is from the 1959 film,
“Ben Hur” starring Charleton
Heston. Read more about the film
here or check your local video store
to watch the epic yourself.
Back to Romans played…
11. What is the most famous
hippodrome called?
12. Why is it called a
“circus”?
13. How did spectators keep
track of the progress of the
race?
Find out the answers to 11 through 13
by clicking here.
More Bloody Entertainment
Like sporting events in many ancient
cultures, Roman gladiatorial
combat originated as a religious
event. These events were made
even more popular by including
exotic animals in the battles, such
as elephants or tigers.
In 2000, director Ridley
Scott’s Academy Award
winning film Gladiator
depicted a Roman general
betrayed and his family
murdered by a corrupt
prince, who then comes to
Rome as a gladiator to seek
revenge.
14. How is a defeated gladiator’s fate
determined?
•Read here about the specific
gesture.
15. Where were gladiatorial battles
held?
•Find out here.
Russell Crowe?
•
Winner of five Academy Awards
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•
Nominated for
–
–
•
Best Picture
Best Actor for Russell Crowe
Best Visual Effects
Best Costume Design
Best Sound
Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin
Phoenix
Best Director for Ridley Scott.
But how historically accurate is this
film? Allen Ward from the University
of Connecticut expresses his opinion
of the film as “It was the best of films.
It was the worst of films.” Read the
whole essay here.
16. What is your opinion based on Mr.
Ward’s essay? When is historical
accuracy necessary and when can we,
as artists, take creative liberties?
Anything else?
17-20. Tell me about four new things that you learned
about throughout this WebQuest, but did not have
a question over.