Pages

How much I know about ancient Greek Theatre? This is the question!

  • Key words AND definitions!

    PERIAKTOI

    A device for changing scenery in a theatre

    Ekkyklema

    An ekkyklêma was a wheeled platform rolled out through a skênê in ancient Greek theatre.

    CHORUS

    A group of performers, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action

    ORCHESTRA

    Circular acting space at centre,translates as ''dancing place''

    Theatrical scenery

    Theatrical scenery is that which is used as a setting for a theatrical production. Scenery may be just about anything, from a single chair to an elaborately re-created street, no matter how large or how small, whether the item was custom-made or is the genuine item, appropriated for theatrical use.

    Logio

    A raised floor, wooden and later stone or marble, where the actors were playing

    Thymeli

    Altar in the center of the orchestra

    SKENE

    Stage building behind orchestra where the actors changed costumes

    Deuteragonist

    The character second in importance to the protagonist in classical Greek drama.

    Theatron

    spectator viewing place "seeing place"

    THEATRON

    ''Seeing place'' where the audience sat

    Proskenion

    portion immediately in front of the skene was used as an acting area

    Tritagonist

    A third character which allowed more complex interactions of dialogue

    PARADOS

    entry/exit ways for the chorus to the left and right to the skene

    Peripeteia

    Reversal of Fortune

    MASKS

    coverings worn over face or part of the face of an actor to emphasize or neutralize facial characteristics

    Anthropomorphism

    giving human qualities to gods

    Dithyramb

    An ode to Dionysus

    Vronteion

    An instrument used for immitating the sound of lightning.

    Deus ex machina

    crane mounted on skene; used to bring about the appearance of gods. usually a stuffed dummy suspended in air

    SOPHOCLES

    author of Oedipus Rex and Antigone

    EURIPIDES

    Author of Medea and Helen

    ARISTOPHANES

    author of Lysistrata and the Frogs

    Diazomata

    Horizontal walkways for the audiance to reach their seats.

    Klimakes

    Vertical stairs for the seats to be reached

    The greedy

    Water drainage pipe in the periphery of the orchestra from the hollow part

    EISODOS

    side entrance used by actors and choir

    Aeschylus

    Greek poet and dramatist, with him the myth becomes the starting point for discussion and reflection.

    Analemmata

    In the ancient Greek theatre the analemmata were the walls surroundings and supporting the auditorium

    Coryphaeus

    The coryphaeus was the leader of the choir

    Tragedy

    The term derives from tragos goat and oide song goat song with allusion to the origins of the tragedy from satrical drama and Dionysian rites

    Drama

    it derives from the Greek "drama" that is "action".The Greek authors dramatize life events and put them on stage.

    Menander

    Ancient Greek playwright. His comedies deal with private events focused on the theme of love

    Trilogy

    Set of three tragedies by the same author referring to the same subject.

    Thespis

    He was the first person ever to appear on stage as an actor playing a character in a play. He probably invented the prologue and the rhesis.

    Prologue

    A separate introductory section of a literary, dramatic, or musical work.