Roman Theatre Roman Theatre

Where it all began… The Romans borrowed extensively from Greek theatre. The Romans borrowed extensively from Greek theatre. Although Roman theatre may not be held in the same high esteem as that of the Greeks, we have inherited much from the influence of the Roman Theatre, including the word "play" itself, which derives from a literal translation of the Latin word ludus, meaning recreation or play. Although Roman theatre may not be held in the same high esteem as that of the Greeks, we have inherited much from the influence of the Roman Theatre, including the word "play" itself, which derives from a literal translation of the Latin word ludus, meaning recreation or play. Roman theatre took two forms: Fabula Palliata and Fabula Togata. Fabula Palliata were primarily translations of Greek plays into Latin, although the term is also applied to the original works of Roman playwrights based upon Greek plays Roman theatre took two forms: Fabula Palliata and Fabula Togata. Fabula Palliata were primarily translations of Greek plays into Latin, although the term is also applied to the original works of Roman playwrights based upon Greek plays Drama in Rome consisted primarily of Fabula Togata, (plays in Greek costuming)as well as the spectacles of the gladiators and chariot races made familiar by modern Hollywood treatment of the Roman Empire. Drama in Rome consisted primarily of Fabula Togata, (plays in Greek costuming)as well as the spectacles of the gladiators and chariot races made familiar by modern Hollywood treatment of the Roman Empire.

Ancient Rome

Playwrights… Plays of a more serious literary nature continued to be written, but these were not intended to be performed so much as read or recited. Plays of a more serious literary nature continued to be written, but these were not intended to be performed so much as read or recited. Comedies were far more popular and, like tragedy, divided into two groups: Comedies were far more popular and, like tragedy, divided into two groups: Written about Greeks Written about Romans Plautus and Terence were both comedic writers for Roman theatre. Plautus, the older of the two, was an actor as well as a playwright. Plautus and Terence were both comedic writers for Roman theatre. Plautus, the older of the two, was an actor as well as a playwright. He has written over 100 works but only 21 survive…”Aulularia” being one them. He has written over 100 works but only 21 survive…”Aulularia” being one them.

From Greek to Roman Although we have few works by Roman playwrights surviving to us in forms that would lend themselves to revival, the influence of the Roman world on the form of the stage is one which had more lasting effect. Although we have few works by Roman playwrights surviving to us in forms that would lend themselves to revival, the influence of the Roman world on the form of the stage is one which had more lasting effect. The semi-circular orchestra of the Greek theatre came to be eclipsed by the raised stage and the more vigorous style of acting employed by the performers. However, the greatest impact Rome may have had on the theatre was to lower it in the esteem of the Church -- an impact that was to retard the growth of the dramatic arts for several centuries. The semi-circular orchestra of the Greek theatre came to be eclipsed by the raised stage and the more vigorous style of acting employed by the performers. However, the greatest impact Rome may have had on the theatre was to lower it in the esteem of the Church -- an impact that was to retard the growth of the dramatic arts for several centuries.

Pleasing the audience… Romans bent toward low comedy and its mass appeal -- coupled with its association with the entertainment of the arena almost certainly contributed to its disfavor by officials of the early Christian Church. Romans bent toward low comedy and its mass appeal -- coupled with its association with the entertainment of the arena almost certainly contributed to its disfavor by officials of the early Christian Church. Plays, or ludii were associated with either comedy of a coarse and scurrilous nature, or with pagan rituals and holidays. It was the latter, however, which may account for the survival of theatre through the Middle Ages. Plays, or ludii were associated with either comedy of a coarse and scurrilous nature, or with pagan rituals and holidays. It was the latter, however, which may account for the survival of theatre through the Middle Ages.

Rub-a-dub-dub! Entertainment was essential to daily life in Ancient Rome. And with theaters, amphitheaters, circuses, and public baths galore, the Romans never seemed to get bored. Entertainment was essential to daily life in Ancient Rome. And with theaters, amphitheaters, circuses, and public baths galore, the Romans never seemed to get bored.

A day at the SPA… In the time of the Roman empire, the baths were a place of leisure time during many Romans daily routine. People from nearly every class - men, women, and children - could attend the thermae, or public baths, similar to modern day fitness clubs and community centers. In the time of the Roman empire, the baths were a place of leisure time during many Romans daily routine. People from nearly every class - men, women, and children - could attend the thermae, or public baths, similar to modern day fitness clubs and community centers.

Saunas & Pools Roman style… Towards the center of the Roman baths, adjoining the dressing room, could be found the tepidarium, an exceedingly large, vaulted and mildly heated hall. Towards the center of the Roman baths, adjoining the dressing room, could be found the tepidarium, an exceedingly large, vaulted and mildly heated hall. This could be found surrounded on one side by the frigidarium, a large, chilled swimming pool about 200 feet by 100 feet, and on the other side by the calidarium, an area for hot bathing warmed by subterranean steam. This could be found surrounded on one side by the frigidarium, a large, chilled swimming pool about 200 feet by 100 feet, and on the other side by the calidarium, an area for hot bathing warmed by subterranean steam.

VADO! Chariot racing was Rome's oldest and most popular pastime, dating back to at least the Roman monarchy. Chariot racing was Rome's oldest and most popular pastime, dating back to at least the Roman monarchy. Greek chariot races were held in hippodromes in the east, but in the west they were held in circuses. Greek chariot races were held in hippodromes in the east, but in the west they were held in circuses. Other events eventually infiltrated the circus games (ludi circenses), such as Greek athletics and wrestling, but chariot racing remained the popular favorite. Other events eventually infiltrated the circus games (ludi circenses), such as Greek athletics and wrestling, but chariot racing remained the popular favorite. As a sport, it was highly expensive, but organized into a highly profitable business. As a sport, it was highly expensive, but organized into a highly profitable business. There were four chariot facing teams, the blues, greens, whites, and reds, the colors of which were worn by respective charioteers during races. There were four chariot facing teams, the blues, greens, whites, and reds, the colors of which were worn by respective charioteers during races. If successful, a charioteer could become rich and famous throughout Rome. If successful, a charioteer could become rich and famous throughout Rome. Images of charioteers survive in sculpture, mosaic, and molded glassware, sometimes even with inscribed names. The teams rivaled greatly, sometimes leading to violence among supporters. In general, however, the greens and blues were the favorites. Images of charioteers survive in sculpture, mosaic, and molded glassware, sometimes even with inscribed names. The teams rivaled greatly, sometimes leading to violence among supporters. In general, however, the greens and blues were the favorites.

Ludi Circenes

Ludi Circenses The circus itself consisted of tiers of seats build around a U-shaped arena with an elaborately ornamented barrier, the spina, running down the middle. Metae, or turning posts, surrounded each end of the course. At the open end of the U waited up to twelve four horse chariots (quadrigae), which began the race from starting gates (carceres), drove to the right of the spina, and then continued counter- clockwise for seven laps. At each end of the spina were seven lap markers, one of which was removed after each lap run by the charioteers. Circuses were also used for two horse chariot racing (bigae), foot and horse racing, athletics, and gladiatorial shows/mock battles were commonplace in the circus.

Circus events…

Chariot Racing

Circus Maximus The 1st circus was the Circus Maximus, supposedly built during the monarchy. The 1st circus was the Circus Maximus, supposedly built during the monarchy. Entertainment, politics, and religion all seemed to be intertwined. Entertainment, politics, and religion all seemed to be intertwined.

Gladiators…

Foot and Horse Racing

The original Olympics

Shows at the Arena… Several different types of shows all took place in the arena of an Amphitheater. The word arena comes from the Latin for "sand," which was placed on the Amphitheater floor to soak up spilled blood. Amphitheaters were most commonly used for gladiatorial matches which had been adapted from Etruscan funeral rites (munera). By the last 1st century BC, however, the games had lost their ritualistic significance. Several different types of shows all took place in the arena of an Amphitheater. The word arena comes from the Latin for "sand," which was placed on the Amphitheater floor to soak up spilled blood. Amphitheaters were most commonly used for gladiatorial matches which had been adapted from Etruscan funeral rites (munera). By the last 1st century BC, however, the games had lost their ritualistic significance. Gladiators came from various lots of life. Originally, there were gladiatorial schools, but these came under state control in the 1st century BC to avoid them becoming private armies. The majority of gladiators were either condemned criminals (damnati), slaves, prisoners of war, or volunteers who signed up to do shows for a fee. There were four main types of gladiator: Gladiators came from various lots of life. Originally, there were gladiatorial schools, but these came under state control in the 1st century BC to avoid them becoming private armies. The majority of gladiators were either condemned criminals (damnati), slaves, prisoners of war, or volunteers who signed up to do shows for a fee. There were four main types of gladiator:

Armor Murmillo: Fought with a helmet adorned by a fish crest, an oblong shield, and a sword. He usually fought a retiaritus. Murmillo: Fought with a helmet adorned by a fish crest, an oblong shield, and a sword. He usually fought a retiaritus. Retiaritus: A lightly armed gladiator with a net, brandishing either a trident or a dagger. Retiaritus: A lightly armed gladiator with a net, brandishing either a trident or a dagger. Samnite: Utilized a sword, visor and helmet, and an oblong shield. Samnite: Utilized a sword, visor and helmet, and an oblong shield. Thracian: Combated with a curved scimitar and round shield. Thracian: Combated with a curved scimitar and round shield. Various other weapons, women, and sometimes even dwarves were used in the games. Special types of "wild animal matches" (venationes) were introduced in the 2nd Century BC and became very popular. Such bouts included men on foot and on horseback, known as beastiarii, who were usually either criminals, prisoners of war, or trained and paid fighters. Beastiarii fought exotic animals, which eventually led to an extensive trade market. Various other weapons, women, and sometimes even dwarves were used in the games. Special types of "wild animal matches" (venationes) were introduced in the 2nd Century BC and became very popular. Such bouts included men on foot and on horseback, known as beastiarii, who were usually either criminals, prisoners of war, or trained and paid fighters. Beastiarii fought exotic animals, which eventually led to an extensive trade market.

Bull fighting? Originally, wild animal matches took place on the morning of the games, the public executions were held at midday, and then the gladiatorial matches. Originally, wild animal matches took place on the morning of the games, the public executions were held at midday, and then the gladiatorial matches. Over time, however, these divisions became blurred, and often many fights would take place at once, giving the appearance of a battle. Over time, however, these divisions became blurred, and often many fights would take place at once, giving the appearance of a battle.

In the Navy… Other spectacles included mock naval battles (naumachiae), known to take place on artificial lakes, as well as animal performances, accompanied by music. Other spectacles included mock naval battles (naumachiae), known to take place on artificial lakes, as well as animal performances, accompanied by music.

Mock Battles

Army & Entertainment In small towns, the local Amphitheater could be the only entertainment. Due to their massive size, they were usually constructed on the edge of a city or directly outside its walls. Military amphitheaters (ludi) built near forts and fortresses served as training grounds for soldiers. In small towns, the local Amphitheater could be the only entertainment. Due to their massive size, they were usually constructed on the edge of a city or directly outside its walls. Military amphitheaters (ludi) built near forts and fortresses served as training grounds for soldiers.

Taking it to the stage… In Ancient Rome, plays were presented at the time of the games on contemporary wooded stages. The first such permanent Roman theater was ordered to be built by Pompeii in 55 BC, eventually erected on the Campus Martius at Rome. Built of stone, it had a seating capacity of 27,000. Essentially patterned after the Greek theater, it differed in the respect that it was built on level ground.

Where’s the chorus? Excavated out of the sides of hills, the circular space located in front of the stage in a Greek theater was called the orchestra, where choruses and actors performed. Since Roman plays usually lacked a true chorus, the area in front of the stage which might have been an orchestra simply became a semicircular area.

Where are all the women? All actors in Roman plays were male slaves. Men played the parts of women. The typical stock characters included the rich man, the king, the soldier, the slave, the young man, and the young woman. If necessary, an actor would play two or more roles in a single performance. The most notable part of an actor's regalia was probably his mask. While different masks and wigs were used for comedies than tragedies, certain characteristics remained constant. All masks had both cheek supports and special chambers which acted as amplifiers. Gray wigs represented old men, black for young men, and red for slaves. Young men donned brightly colored clothing, while old men wore white. In this manner the characters could be easily identified by the audience. Admission to the Roman plays was free for citizens. Originally, women were barred from viewing comedies and were only admitted to tragedies, but later, no such restrictions were imposed. Pantomimes, popular during the 1st century BC, involved miming roles to accompaniment of singers, dancers, and musicians, in addition to visual effects, similar to a ballet. In mimes of antiquity actors spoke. Women were allowed in mimes and pantomimes, which were more popular than typical plays but eventually degenerated into vulgar and disgusting tastelessness.

Mimes, pantomimes

Wearing Wigs?

Similarities? Write it down… 1. L ist three differences between Greek and Roman theatre. 2. L ist three similarities between Greek and Roman theatre. 3. W hat does ludi mean? 4. W hat three aspects of Roman life were intertwined? 5. W hat is significant about Roman lifestyle and Roman theatre?

The End…For Now