Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Theatre (The Roman Theatre) To understand Roman theatre, it is essential to recognize from the outset that drama in the Greek sense played only a small role in it. Roman drama was always dominated by variety entertainment more closely related to Greek mimes. Roman theatre is more easily understood when compared to American television programming. It included acrobatics, trained animals, jugglers, athletic events, music and dance, dramatic skits, short farces, and full-length dramas. The Roman public was fickle, like channel- switchers: they would go from event to event, demanding entertainment that surpassed all others. Roman theatre was comprised of a wide variety of events – yes, including the gladiatorial games. Image: https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/ClasDram/chapters/121romhist.htm 1

Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Theatre (The Roman Theatre) Regular drama (as we understand it today) was a form that flourished for a time, then declined. The Roman historian Livy (59 BCE – 17 CE) dates the first theatrical performances in Rome to 364 BCE. Performers called ister were imported from Etruria (home of the Etruscans). Rome derived its name for actors, histriones, from these ister. The Roman poet Horace (65 – 8 BCE) conversely states that Lavin drama originated earlier in the improvised, abusive, and often obscene dialogues exchanged in verse between clowns at harvest festivals and wedding celebrations. Both may be right – Livy seems to equate drama with serious performance, while Horace seems to be thinking of comedy. Livy (left) and Horace (right). Image: Wikipedia 2

Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Theatre (The Roman Theatre) Under the Roman Republic, regular drama flourished. Tragedy appealed to the Roman sentiments about virtue, honor, and loyalty. Comedy appealed because of its lighthearted treatment of domestic complications that resolved happily. Neither comedy nor tragedy seemed to have reflected any profound philosophical concerns or have seriously questioned Roman values. Under the Roman Empire, regular drama was largely abandoned in favor of variety entertainment. Theatre became increasingly diversionary. Novelties of all types were demanded and offered, with increasing lavishness and elaborateness of spectacle. Russel Crowe in Gladiator. This has nothing to do with the notes except that it depicts a gladiator. I just liked the meme. ;) Image: https://stjohnshistoryclub.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/was-gladiator-a-realistic-representation-of-roman-entertainment/ 3

Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Theatre (The Roman Theatre) Theatre in Rome was almost always associated with festivals, most of them religious. This was especially true under the Republic. Theatrical offerings (regardless of content) were long thought to be pleasing to the gods. Roman counterparts to the Greek gods were worshipped alongside household spirits and animistic forces. As Rome expanded, new gods were continually added to the list. Romans were superstitious and fearful of offending any supernatural power. Roman theatre was primarily associated with festivals. Image: Wikipedia 4

Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Theatre (The Roman Theatre) Romans placed as much or more emphasis on the form of religious ceremonies as the substance of them. At festivals honoring the gods, the content of the festivals mattered much less than the fact that the festival entertainments were offered. Overall, Roman drama did not reach a level comparable to 5th century Greece. However, it is also true that Roman theatre was more highly developed, varied, and extensive than in any earlier culture. Though Roman theatre was not as sophisticated as ancient Greek theatre, it was much more developed and varied. Image: http://theatrestyles.blogspot.com/2014/02/ancient-roman-theatre.html 5