Roman Roman TheatreTheatre

Where it all began…Where it all began…

The Romans borrowed extensively from The Romans borrowed extensively from Greek theatre.Greek theatre.

Although Roman theatre may not be held Although Roman theatre may not be held in the same high esteem as that of the in the same high esteem as that of the Greeks, we have inherited much from the Greeks, we have inherited much from the influence of the Roman Theatre, including influence of the Roman Theatre, including the word "play" itself, which derives from the word "play" itself, which derives from a literal translation of the Latin word a literal translation of the Latin word ludusludus, meaning recreation or play. , meaning recreation or play.

Roman theatre took two forms: Roman theatre took two forms: Fabula Fabula PalliataPalliata and and Fabula TogataFabula Togata. . Fabula Fabula PalliataPalliata were primarily translations of were primarily translations of Greek plays into Latin, although the term Greek plays into Latin, although the term is also applied to the original works of is also applied to the original works of Roman playwrights based upon Greek Roman playwrights based upon Greek playsplays

Drama in Rome consisted primarily of Drama in Rome consisted primarily of Fabula TogataFabula Togata, (plays in Greek , (plays in Greek costuming)as well as the spectacles of costuming)as well as the spectacles of the gladiators and chariot races made the gladiators and chariot races made familiar by modern Hollywood treatment familiar by modern Hollywood treatment of the Roman Empire. of the Roman Empire.

Ancient RomeAncient Rome

Playwrights…Playwrights… Plays of a more serious literary Plays of a more serious literary

nature continued to be written, nature continued to be written, but these were not intended to but these were not intended to be performed so much as read be performed so much as read or recited.or recited.

Comedies were far more Comedies were far more popular and, like tragedy, popular and, like tragedy, divided into two groups:divided into two groups: Written about GreeksWritten about Greeks Written about RomansWritten about Romans

Plautus and Terence were both Plautus and Terence were both comedic writers for Roman comedic writers for Roman theatre. Plautus, the older of theatre. Plautus, the older of the two, was an actor as well the two, was an actor as well as a playwright. as a playwright.

He has written over 100 works He has written over 100 works but only 21 but only 21 survive…”Aulularia” being one survive…”Aulularia” being one them. them.

From Greek to RomanFrom Greek to Roman Although we have few works by Although we have few works by

Roman playwrights surviving to us Roman playwrights surviving to us in forms that would lend in forms that would lend themselves to revival, the themselves to revival, the influence of the Roman world on influence of the Roman world on the form of the stage is one which the form of the stage is one which had more lasting effect. had more lasting effect.

The semi-circular orchestra of the The semi-circular orchestra of the Greek theatre came to be Greek theatre came to be eclipsed by the raised stage and eclipsed by the raised stage and the more vigorous style of acting the more vigorous style of acting employed by the performers. employed by the performers. However, the greatest impact However, the greatest impact Rome may have had on the Rome may have had on the theatre was to lower it in the theatre was to lower it in the esteem of the Church -- an impact esteem of the Church -- an impact that was to retard the growth of that was to retard the growth of the dramatic arts for several the dramatic arts for several centuries.centuries.

Pleasing the audience…Pleasing the audience… Romans bent toward low Romans bent toward low

comedy and its mass comedy and its mass appeal -- coupled with its appeal -- coupled with its association with the association with the entertainment of the arena entertainment of the arena almost certainly almost certainly contributed to its disfavor contributed to its disfavor by officials of the early by officials of the early Christian Church.Christian Church.

Plays, or Plays, or ludiiludii were were associated with either associated with either comedy of a coarse and comedy of a coarse and scurrilous nature, or with scurrilous nature, or with pagan rituals and holidays. pagan rituals and holidays. It was the latter, however, It was the latter, however, which may account for the which may account for the survival of theatre through survival of theatre through the Middle Ages.the Middle Ages.

Rub-a-dub-dub!Rub-a-dub-dub!

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

A day at the SPA…A day at the SPA…

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

Saunas & Pools Roman Saunas & Pools Roman style…style…

Towards the center of the Towards the center of the Roman baths, adjoining Roman baths, adjoining the dressing room, could the dressing room, could be found the be found the tepidariumtepidarium, , an exceedingly large, an exceedingly large, vaulted and mildly heated vaulted and mildly heated hall. hall. 

This could be found This could be found surrounded on one side by surrounded on one side by the the frigidariumfrigidarium, a large, , a large, chilled swimming pool chilled swimming pool about 200 feet by 100 feet, about 200 feet by 100 feet, and on the other side by and on the other side by the the calidariumcalidarium, an area for , an area for hot bathing warmed by hot bathing warmed by subterranean steam.subterranean steam.

VADO!VADO! Chariot racing was Rome's oldest and most Chariot racing was Rome's oldest and most

popular pastime, dating back to at least popular pastime, dating back to at least the Roman monarchy.  the Roman monarchy. 

Greek chariot races were held in Greek chariot races were held in hippodromes in the east, but in the west hippodromes in the east, but in the west they were held in circuses.  they were held in circuses. 

Other events eventually infiltrated the Other events eventually infiltrated the circus games (circus games (ludi circensesludi circenses), such as ), such as Greek athletics and wrestling, but chariot Greek athletics and wrestling, but chariot racing remained the popular favorite. racing remained the popular favorite. 

As a sport, it was highly expensive, but As a sport, it was highly expensive, but organized into a highly profitable organized into a highly profitable business.  business. 

There were four chariot facing teams, the There were four chariot facing teams, the blues, greens, whites, and reds, the colors blues, greens, whites, and reds, the colors of which were worn by respective of which were worn by respective charioteers during races.  charioteers during races. 

If successful, a charioteer could become If successful, a charioteer could become rich and famous throughout Rome.  rich and famous throughout Rome. 

Images of charioteers survive in sculpture, Images of charioteers survive in sculpture, mosaic, and molded glassware, sometimes mosaic, and molded glassware, sometimes even with inscribed names.  The teams even with inscribed names.  The teams rivaled greatly, sometimes leading to rivaled greatly, sometimes leading to violence among supporters.  In general, violence among supporters.  In general, however, the greens and blues were the however, the greens and blues were the favorites.favorites.

Ludi CircenesLudi Circenes

Ludi Circenses Ludi Circenses The circus itself consisted of tiers of The circus itself consisted of tiers of

seats build around a U-shaped seats build around a U-shaped arena with an elaborately arena with an elaborately ornamented barrier, the ornamented barrier, the spinaspina, , running down the middle.  running down the middle. 

MetaeMetae, or turning posts, surrounded , or turning posts, surrounded each end of the course.  each end of the course. 

At the open end of the U waited up At the open end of the U waited up to twelve four horse chariots to twelve four horse chariots ((quadrigaequadrigae), which began the race ), which began the race from starting gates (from starting gates (carcerescarceres), ), drove to the right of the spina, and drove to the right of the spina, and then continued counter-clockwise then continued counter-clockwise for seven laps.  for seven laps. 

At each end of the spina were At each end of the spina were seven lap markers, one of which seven lap markers, one of which was removed after each lap run by was removed after each lap run by the charioteers.   the charioteers.  

Circuses were also used for two Circuses were also used for two horse chariot racing (horse chariot racing (bigaebigae), foot ), foot and horse racing, athletics, and and horse racing, athletics, and gladiatorial shows/mock battles gladiatorial shows/mock battles were commonplace in the circus.  were commonplace in the circus. 

Circus events…Circus events…

Chariot RacingChariot Racing

Circus MaximusCircus Maximus The 1st circus was the The 1st circus was the

Circus Maximus, Circus Maximus, supposedly built during the supposedly built during the monarchy. monarchy. 

  Entertainment, politics, Entertainment, politics, and religion all seemed to and religion all seemed to be intertwined.be intertwined.

Gladiators…Gladiators…

Foot and Horse RacingFoot and Horse Racing

The original OlympicsThe original Olympics

Shows at the Arena…Shows at the Arena… Several different types of shows all took place in the Several different types of shows all took place in the arenaarena

of an Amphitheater.  The word arena comes from the Latin of an Amphitheater.  The word arena comes from the Latin for "sand," which was placed on the Amphitheater floor to for "sand," which was placed on the Amphitheater floor to soak up spilled blood. Amphitheaters were most commonly soak up spilled blood. Amphitheaters were most commonly used for gladiatorial matches which had been adapted from used for gladiatorial matches which had been adapted from Etruscan funeral rites (Etruscan funeral rites (muneramunera).   By the last 1st century ).   By the last 1st century BC, however, the games had lost their ritualistic BC, however, the games had lost their ritualistic significance.significance.

Gladiators came from various lots of life.   Originally, there Gladiators came from various lots of life.   Originally, there were gladiatorial schools, but these came under state were gladiatorial schools, but these came under state control in the 1st century BC to avoid them becoming control in the 1st century BC to avoid them becoming private armies.  The majority of gladiators were either private armies.  The majority of gladiators were either condemned criminals (condemned criminals (damnatidamnati), slaves, prisoners of war, or ), slaves, prisoners of war, or volunteers who signed up to do shows for a fee.  There volunteers who signed up to do shows for a fee.  There were four main types of gladiator: were four main types of gladiator:

ArmorArmor Murmillo:  Fought with a helmet Murmillo:  Fought with a helmet

adorned by a fish crest, an oblong adorned by a fish crest, an oblong shield, and a sword.  He usually fought shield, and a sword.  He usually fought a retiaritus. a retiaritus.

Retiaritus:  A lightly armed gladiator Retiaritus:  A lightly armed gladiator with a net, brandishing either a trident with a net, brandishing either a trident or a dagger. or a dagger.

Samnite:  Utilized a sword, visor and Samnite:  Utilized a sword, visor and helmet, and an oblong shield. helmet, and an oblong shield.

Thracian:  Combated with a curved Thracian:  Combated with a curved scimitar and round shield.  scimitar and round shield. 

Various other weapons, women, and Various other weapons, women, and sometimes even dwarves were used in sometimes even dwarves were used in the games.  Special types of "wild the games.  Special types of "wild animal matches" (animal matches" (venationesvenationes) were ) were introduced in the 2nd Century BC and introduced in the 2nd Century BC and became very popular.  Such bouts became very popular.  Such bouts included men on foot and on included men on foot and on horseback, known as horseback, known as beastiariibeastiarii, who , who were usually either criminals, were usually either criminals, prisoners of war, or trained and paid prisoners of war, or trained and paid fighters.   Beastiarii fought exotic fighters.   Beastiarii fought exotic animals, which eventually led to an animals, which eventually led to an extensive trade market.  extensive trade market. 

Bull fighting?Bull fighting? Originally, wild animal Originally, wild animal

matches took place on matches took place on the morning of the the morning of the games, the public games, the public executions were held at executions were held at midday, and then the midday, and then the gladiatorial matches. gladiatorial matches. 

Over time, however, Over time, however, these divisions became these divisions became blurred, and often many blurred, and often many fights would take place fights would take place at once, giving the at once, giving the appearance of a battle.appearance of a battle.

In the Navy…In the Navy…

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

Mock BattlesMock Battles

Army & EntertainmentArmy & Entertainment

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

Taking it to the stage…Taking it to the stage…

In Ancient Rome, plays were presented at In Ancient Rome, plays were presented at the time of the games on contemporary the time of the games on contemporary wooded stages.  wooded stages. 

The first such permanent Roman theater The first such permanent Roman theater was ordered to be built by Pompeii in 55 was ordered to be built by Pompeii in 55 BC, eventually erected on the Campus BC, eventually erected on the Campus Martius at Rome.  Martius at Rome. 

Built of stone, it had a seating capacity of Built of stone, it had a seating capacity of 27,000.  Essentially patterned after the 27,000.  Essentially patterned after the Greek theater, it differed in the respect Greek theater, it differed in the respect that it was built on level ground.  that it was built on level ground. 

Where’s the chorus?Where’s the chorus?

Excavated out of the sides of hills, Excavated out of the sides of hills, the circular space located in front of the circular space located in front of the stage in a Greek theater was the stage in a Greek theater was called the orchestra, where choruses called the orchestra, where choruses and actors performed.  and actors performed. 

Since Roman plays usually lacked a Since Roman plays usually lacked a true chorus, the area in front of the true chorus, the area in front of the stage which might have been an stage which might have been an orchestra simply became a orchestra simply became a semicircular area.semicircular area.

Where are all the women?Where are all the women? All actors in Roman plays were male slaves.   Men played the parts of 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 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 soldier, the slave, the young man, and the young woman.  If necessary, an actor would play two or more roles in a single performance.  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 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 different masks and wigs were used for comedies than tragedies, certain characteristics remained constant.  All masks had both cheek supports and characteristics remained constant.  All masks had both cheek supports and special chambers which acted as amplifiers.  special chambers which acted as amplifiers. 

Gray wigs represented old men, black for young men, and red for slaves.  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 Young men donned brightly colored clothing, while old men wore white.  In this manner the characters could be easily identified by the audience.  this manner the characters could be easily identified by the audience. 

Admission to the Roman plays was free for citizens.  Originally, women Admission to the Roman plays was free for citizens.  Originally, women were barred from viewing comedies and were only admitted to tragedies, were barred from viewing comedies and were only admitted to tragedies, but later, no such restrictions were imposed.but later, no such restrictions were imposed.

Pantomimes, popular during the 1st century BC, involved miming roles to Pantomimes, popular during the 1st century BC, involved miming roles to accompaniment of singers, dancers, and musicians, in addition to visual accompaniment of singers, dancers, and musicians, in addition to visual effects, similar to a ballet.  In mimes of antiquity actors spoke.effects, similar to a ballet.  In mimes of antiquity actors spoke.

Women were allowed in mimes and pantomimes, which were more popular Women were allowed in mimes and pantomimes, which were more popular than typical plays but eventually degenerated into vulgar and disgusting than typical plays but eventually degenerated into vulgar and disgusting tastelessness.  tastelessness. 

Mimes, pantomimesMimes, pantomimes

Wearing Wigs?Wearing Wigs?

Similarities? Write it down…Similarities? Write it down…

1.1. List three differences between Greek and List three differences between Greek and Roman theatre.Roman theatre.

2.2. List three similarities between Greek and List three similarities between Greek and Roman theatre.Roman theatre.

3.3. What does ludi mean?What does ludi mean?4.4. What three aspects of Roman life were What three aspects of Roman life were

intertwined?intertwined?5.5. What is significant about Roman lifestyle and What is significant about Roman lifestyle and

Roman theatre?Roman theatre?

The End…For NowThe End…For Now