Greek theater: description, history and interesting facts. Ancient Theater: Interesting Facts

It originated in antiquity. prosperity and greatest development it reached then in Greece. Its function was to disseminate socio-ethical, religious concepts, thereby uniting various segments of the population. Tragedies and comedies, images and characters created by poets at that time are masterpieces today literary classics. We will get acquainted with the history of the Greek theater, its features in this article.

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The very word "theater" Greek origin. In the literal sense, it translates as "a place for spectacles." The era of the birth of the Greek theater (5-4 centuries BC) is considered to be a model standard. characteristic feature its is the harmony of proportions, elements. This applies to architecture, plastic arts and the performing arts itself.

Initially, the Greek theater was associated with the celebration of the deity Dionysus. The democratic system, established by the 5th century BC, contributed to rapid growth the popularity of the theater in Athens, attracting masters to it poetic word. Often, buildings and venues for performances were used for public meetings, since initially, during construction, they were designed for a large number of audience and accommodated from 10 thousand people. The sacred attribute of the Greek theater of that period was the altar of Dionysus. It was located in the central part of the building - the orchestra - and was a kind of reminder of the religious beginning of art.

The very first theater was located in Athens, on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis. It was named after the patron deity, and the society of actors was called "Dionysian masters". The theater was under open sky seats for spectators were wooden. At the end of the 5th century, the seats collapsed. Therefore, the inhabitants of Athens jointly built the theatron - special places for the public.

Performance features

The birth of the Greek theater marked new stage development of art, not only literary and oratory, but also stage. It was based on symbolic games, religious rites. As early as the end of the 6th century, three theatrical genres were popular: comedies, tragedies and satyr dramas. Performances took place not only in Athens, but also in other Greek policies. They were associated with the festivities of Dionysius and important state events. Through the intricacies of the characters and actions of the characters, it was possible to convey important political ideas to the people and laugh at topical problems.

At the end of the 4th century, the theater in ancient Greece lost its connection with religion. Now only important state events celebrated with dramatic performances. At the same time, the authors of the plays and the actors tried to captivate the audience so much that the whole stage play turned into a single experience. And the audience seemed to become the protagonist.

architectural features

History of Greek theater architectural plan includes two main periods: classical and Hellenistic.

The theater of Dionysus served as a model (i.e., a classic). It included three parts: an orchestra - a round platform for the performances of actors. During archaeological excavations in 1895, it was found that its diameter was approximately 27 meters. At first, the public was freely placed around the site, then the theatron, or auditorium, appeared. It became the second obligatory part of the theater building. The seats were located on the slopes of the hills. Rows were built one after another and went up. The theatron was divided by vertical and horizontal passages, forming wedges. The first rows were occupied by influential people. The stage and auditorium were separated by a moat with water. The building of the skene belonged to the third part. This building was built of wood. The props, scenery were stored there, the actors changed clothes and prepared for the exit. Skena was on the opposite side of the stage from the auditorium.

The Hellenistic period dates back to the 4th century BC, when the first marble theater was built. Seats for spectators were made of stone, and places for influential people were artistic chairs. The front wall of the orchestra was decorated with columns.

Under Nero, the orchestra and the stage were rebuilt according to the Roman example, in relation to gladiator fights. Now the actors were playing on a platform connecting the colonnade with the front wall of the stage. Its height was about 3.5 meters above the orchestra.

Theaters of the Hellenistic period accommodated up to 17 thousand spectators in Athens, and in metropolitan areas - up to 44 thousand.

syracuse

One of the oldest is the Greek theater in Syracuse - a Hellenic colony on about. Sicily. It was built in the 5th century BC. Its peculiarity was the stands, carved into the rock and facing the sea. On the background picturesque landscape there was a stage. On it, the actors "fought" with words and gestures. The amphitheater also hosted popular assemblies. Its capacity was approximately 15 thousand spectators. An echo of the celebrations of Dionysus was a long plinth running to the west of the theater. According to the conclusion of archaeologists, it was a sacrificial altar, on which at one time more than one hundred bulls were brought as a gift to the gods every spring.

After the Romans captured Syracuse, the theater was redesigned to host gladiator fights. In the 18th century, the eruption of Mount Etna destroyed Syracuse, and with it the ancient Greek heritage. What survived was stolen by the locals.

Modern restorers managed to restore most amphitheater. And today there are performances and concerts in the evenings by the light of torches and special lighting fixtures.

Taormina

Another monument ancient art the Greek theater in Taormina (east coast of the island of Sicily) is considered. Its limestone construction dates back to the 3rd century BC. e. Spectator seats were also facing the sea and designed for 10,000 people. In the 1st century, the Romans rebuilt the theater building. The superb acoustics that were supposed to give the voices of the actors a magical sound now amplified the screams of the defeated gladiators and the excited audience.

In the 19th century there were restoration work. Russian architects V. A. Kosov and M. E. Messmacher also took part in them. They got restoration plans, facades. Today the Greek theater in Taormina is the pride of the city. Here are held cultural events. One of the significant is International Festival Arts, which takes place annually in the spring.

Actors and choir

In Greek theatrical productions musical accompaniment carried out by the choir. The number of actors according to the rules did not exceed three. And there were often more characters in the script. Therefore, one actor had to play several roles. To do this, he changed costumes and put on different masks. Women did not participate in performances. Women's images portrayed by men.

According to the level of skill and importance of the roles, the actors of the Greek theater were divided into three groups: protagonists, deuteragonists and tritagonists. The highest officials, the archons, followed the stage games. By lot they chose the actors for the authors. The duty of the archons also included the selection of poets for theatrical competitions. The remuneration of the actors and the maintenance of the choirs were carried out from the state treasury.

The performances were like competitions. Three poets participated in them. Each performed with a group of plays. It included three tragedies and a satyr drama. Performances were given in the open air for three to four days.

Ticket price

At first, dramatic performances in Greek theater had free entry for men and women, citizens and meteks (incomplete residents). Later, a seat fee was introduced. By modern standards, it was about 500 rubles. In order for everyone to come to the theater, money was issued from the state treasury. On this occasion, in the 4th century BC. e. even a spectacular box office was organized. It was replenished with the rest of the expenses for the needs of the state.

Influence

The Greek theater of the ancient period is recognized as fundamental for European theater. Until now, its principles in architecture have been observed (the presence of a parterre, an amphitheater, tiers). antique drama repeatedly staged on the stage of the new theater. Medea and Antigone, Agamemnon and Prometheus, Electra and Phaedra - these heroes received a second life in modern tragedies, operas and ballets. Greek theater belongs to what is now called the essence of this art form - dramatic dialogue and the participation of a live actor.

When the performances-competitions ended, the judges, selected by the archons, determined the winners and awarded them with prizes.

Everyone was allowed to go to the theatre. Only visits to comedies were forbidden to married women.

There was no curtain in the Greek theater.

Before Aeschylus, tragedy was always based on myth. The ancient Greek playwright introduced a second actor, deepened the conflict of the plays, and expanded the action. The appearance of detailed dialogues and decorative painting is associated with the work of Sophocles.

In the Greek theater there was a special position - a slave spirit, whose duties included hitting the backbone of especially raging spectators with a stick.

In one of the theaters of Ionia there was a special row for one-armed warriors. A row of bald-headed slaves was seated in front of them, hitting on their bald spots the former could applaud.

For a long time in ancient Roman comedy it was forbidden to show Roman citizens in a funny way. That is why the Roman comedy portrayed the Greeks and Greek life. And so it turned out that the Greeks and Romans showed touching unanimity: the Greeks laughed at themselves, the Romans also laughed at the Greeks.

The great Greek playwright Aeschylus died when a tortoise fell from the sky on his bald head. The bald head of the playwright was mistaken for a rock by an eagle flying across the sky, releasing a turtle to break its shell and feast on its meat.

When in the battle of the Athenians and the Samians part of the army led the playwright Sophocles (such an honor was given to him as a reward for outstanding services to the city), he had to fight with detachments led by the Eleatic philosopher Melissus. The playwright has triumphed over the philosopher.

The ancient Greek playwright Phrynichus once presented his play “The Capture of Miletus” in the theater - about the ruin Greek city Persians. She so upset the audience that the whole theater burst into tears; as punishment, the authorities fined the poet a thousand drachmas and banned the production of his play.

In the Greek theater there were only three actors, each of whom could play several roles. Sometimes, as a curiosity, a fourth actor appeared - a parachoregem, who became a "burden of choreg" (as his name is translated), since the chorega (that is, the sponsor, which was a rich citizen of the city), who was in charge of the production, had an additional obligation to pay for the extra performer.

In Sophocles' Antigone, the plays of Antigone and Creon are sung in various places. How can we explain this, since we know that in ancient theater usually sang main actor called the protagonist? Just in this case, the Greek theater entrusted the protagonist with the performance of the corresponding parts of both roles: at first he played the entire role of Antigone - until her death, and then - in the finale of the play - he dressed up as Creon, who had previously been played by another actor.

IN classical times Athens view theatrical performance tragedy was obligatory for all inhabitants of Athens, except for slaves. Therefore, the whole city gathered at the performance. The poor were paid compensation for money not earned at that time. When the people in charge of the performances began to charge entrance fees, the government of Athens also began to pay this money to the citizens. But decent women were not allowed to stage comedies, except that hetaeras could be in the theater at the presentation of comic works.

All roles in Greek theater were performed by men. Female actresses appeared later, they were all girls of easy virtue and performed only in mimes (rather obscene scenes of domestic content) and pantomimes.

Greek playwrights who presented their tragedies on stage competed with each other. The winning playwright received an ivy wreath as a reward. The winning choreg (sponsor of the production) could erect a monument for himself, which had never been made from life and which indicated both the name of the choreg and the name of the playwright.

Before the performance of tragedies in the orchestra (a round stage like an arena modern circus, on which performances were given in Greece) they cut piglets and sprinkled them with the blood of the audience.

Actors in Greece performed in masks, which they could change only once - as a result of ups and downs (for example, when King Oedipus at Sophocles turned from sighted into blind).

Philip of Macedon was killed in the local theatre.

Already in the 3rd century BC. e. comedian playwright Philemon hired clackers against his rival Menander.

For his jokes against the politician Cleon, the playwright-comedian Aristophanes was beaten by the servants of the latter right in the theater.

A curtain appears in the Roman theater, which does not rise up and does not diverge to the sides, as it is now, but falls into a special slot in the floor.

The Roman playwright Livius Andronicus himself played the main roles in his tragedies. When one day he lost his voice, he began to entrust the performance of all the songs to a special boy standing behind him, while he himself only opened his mouth. This is the first recorded case in history of the use of a phonogram.

In Rome, the so-called mimic hypotheses were popular - stretched tragicomic representations that were written by famous author Philistion. The most popular plot was the adventures of the robber Lavreol, who was crucified on the cross at the end of the performance. At the right moment, the actor was replaced by some person sentenced to death and a real execution was carried out in front of the audience.

In the Roman pantomime, getters in transparent tunics participated, which they threw off along the way. Emperor Justinian married one of these dancers - Theodora.

1. In the Greek theater there was a special position - a rabduh, whose duties included hitting the backbone of especially raging spectators with a stick.
2. In one of the theaters of Ionia there was a special row for one-armed warriors. A row of bald-headed slaves was seated in front of them, hitting on their bald spots the former could applaud.
3. For a long time in ancient Roman comedy it was forbidden to show Roman citizens in a funny way. That is why the Roman comedy portrayed the Greeks and Greek life. And so it turned out that the Greeks and Romans showed touching unanimity: the Greeks laughed at themselves, the Romans also laughed at the Greeks.
4. The great Greek playwright Aeschylus died when a tortoise fell from the sky on his bald head. The bald head of the playwright was mistaken for a rock by an eagle flying across the sky, releasing a turtle to break its shell and feast on its meat.
5. When in the battle of the Athenians and the Samians a part of the army marched under the leadership of the playwright Sophocles (such an honor was given to him as a reward for outstanding services to the city), he had to fight with detachments led by the Eleatic philosopher Melissus. The playwright has triumphed over the philosopher.
6. The ancient Greek playwright Phrynichus once presented his play "The Capture of Miletus" at the theater - about the ruin of a Greek city by the Persians. She so upset the audience that the whole theater burst into tears; as punishment, the authorities fined the poet a thousand drachmas and banned the production of his play.
7. There were only three actors in the Greek theater, each of whom could play several roles. Sometimes, as a curiosity, a fourth actor appeared - a parachoregem, who became a “burden of choreg” (as his name is translated), since the chorega (that is, the sponsor, who was a rich citizen of the city), who was in charge of the production, had an additional obligation to pay for the extra performer.
8. In Sophocles' Antigone, the plays of Antigone and Creon are sung in various places. How can this be explained, since we know that in the ancient theater usually only the main actor, called the protagonist, sang? Just in this case, the Greek theater entrusted the protagonist with the performance of the corresponding parts of both roles: at first he played the entire role of Antigone - until her death, and then - at the end of the play - he dressed up as Creon, who had previously been played by another actor.
9. In classical Athens, watching a theatrical performance of a tragedy was compulsory for all the inhabitants of Athens, except for slaves. Therefore, the whole city gathered at the performance. The poor were paid compensation for money not earned at that time. When the people in charge of the performances began to charge entrance fees, the government of Athens also began to pay this money to the citizens. But decent women were not allowed to stage comedies, except that hetaeras could be in the theater at the presentation of comic works.
10. All the roles in the Greek theater were performed by men. Female actresses appeared later, they were all girls of easy virtue and performed only in mimes (rather obscene scenes of domestic content) and pantomimes.
11. Greek playwrights who presented their tragedies on stage competed with each other. The winning playwright received an ivy wreath as a reward. The winning choreg (sponsor of the production) could erect a monument for himself, which had never been made from nature and which indicated both the name of the choreg and the name of the playwright.
12. Before the performance of tragedies on the orchestra (a round stage like the arena of the modern circus, on which performances were given in Greece), pigs were cut and sprinkled with the blood of the audience.
13. Actors in Greece performed in masks, which they could change only once - as a result of ups and downs (for example, when King Oedipus at Sophocles turned from sighted into blind).
14. Philip of Macedon was killed in the local theater.
15. Already in the 3rd century BC. e. comedian playwright Philemon hired clackers against his rival Menander.
16. For his jokes against the politician Cleon, the playwright-comedian Aristophanes was beaten by the servants of the latter right in the theater.
17. A curtain appears in the Roman theater, which does not rise up and does not diverge to the sides, as it is now, but falls into a special slot in the floor.
18. The Roman playwright Livy Andronicus himself played the main roles in his tragedies. When one day he lost his voice, he began to entrust the performance of all the songs to a special boy standing behind him, while he himself only opened his mouth. This is the first recorded case in history of the use of a phonogram.
19. In Rome, the so-called mimic hypotheses were popular - stretched tragicomic representations that were written by the famous author Philistion. The most popular plot was the adventures of the robber Lavreol, who was crucified on the cross at the end of the performance. At the right moment, the actor was replaced by some person sentenced to death and a real execution was carried out in front of the audience.
20. Heterae in transparent tunics participated in the Roman pantomime, which they threw off along the way. Emperor Justinian married one of these dancers - Theodora.

In the Greek theater there was a special position - a slave spirit, whose duties included hitting the backbone of especially raging spectators with a stick.

In one of the theaters of Ionia there was a special row for one-armed warriors. A row of bald-headed slaves was seated in front of them, hitting on their bald spots the former could applaud.

The ancient Greek playwright Phrynichus once presented his play "The Capture of Miletus" at the theater - about the ruin of a Greek city by the Persians. She so upset the audience that the whole theater burst into tears; as punishment, the authorities fined the poet a thousand drachmas and banned the production of his play.

In Sophocles' Antigone, the plays of Antigone and Creon are sung in various places. How can this be explained, since we know that in the ancient theater usually only the main actor, called the protagonist, sang? Just in this case, the Greek theater entrusted the protagonist with the performance of the corresponding parts of both roles: at first he played the entire role of Antigone - until her death, and then - in the finale of the play - he dressed up as Creon, who had previously been played by another actor.

In classical Athens, watching a theatrical performance of a tragedy was compulsory for all the inhabitants of Athens, except for slaves. Therefore, the whole city gathered at the performance. The poor were paid compensation for money not earned at that time. When the people in charge of the performances began to charge entrance fees, the government of Athens also began to pay this money to the citizens. But decent women were not allowed to stage comedies, except that hetaeras could be in the theater at the presentation of comic works.

Before the performance of tragedies on the orchestra (a round stage like the arena of a modern circus, on which performances were given in Greece), pigs were cut and sprinkled with the blood of the audience.

Actors in Greece performed in masks, which they could change only once - as a result of ups and downs (for example, when King Oedipus at Sophocles turned from sighted into blind).

Philip of Macedon was killed in the local theatre.

Already in the 3rd century BC. e. comedian playwright Philemon hired clackers against his rival Menander.

For his jokes against the politician Cleon, the playwright-comedian Aristophanes was beaten by the servants of the latter right in the theater.

A curtain appears in the Roman theater, which does not rise up and does not diverge to the sides, as it is now, but falls into a special slot in the floor.

In Rome, the so-called mimic hypotheses were popular - stretched tragicomic representations that were written by the famous author Philistion. The most popular plot was the adventures of the robber Lavreol, who was crucified on the cross at the end of the performance. At the right moment, the actor was replaced by some person sentenced to death and a real execution was carried out in front of the audience.

In the Roman pantomime, getters in transparent tunics participated, which they threw off along the way. Emperor Justinian married one of these dancers - Theodora.