Classiv Greek Theatre – Exam Summary
Whats in paper – 10&10(max 10mins each), 20 (30mins), 30(45min) and 1&2 markers
throughout - 1h45mins
Dionysus – god of drama, wine and revelry
What’s in festivals – plays, processions, sacrifices and revelry for whole ‘polis’ to attend
Lanaea – held in late jan, drama fest that comedy took precedence
Rural Dionysia. – drama fest in rural demes of attica in winter
Eponymous archon – leading politician of Athens responsible for running city Dionysia
Choregons – financially supported playwrights productions
Lliturgy – tax on rlly rich for function of Athens
Deme – village or district in attica
City Dionysia
Proagon – preview to fest, plays announced, actors seen without masks
torchlight procession – bring statue of D into city to theatre od D for sacrifices, re-enact his
arrival in athens
Day 1 - pompe (grand procession) from outside city to temple of D ending w sacrifice of
bull, dithyramb (choral dance in honour of D) contests w each of 10 tribes doing, komos
(revel) in streets by men of the city
Day 2 – grand opening ceremony in thetre of D w parade of tribute(money from Athenian
empire brought to be viewed), proclamation of honours(recognising ppl who’ve given
outstanding service to city), parade of orphans (for boys whose dads dies fighting for
Athens) comedies, playwrights present play
Day 3,4,5 – 3 trag, 1 satyr plays
Theoric fund - for rrly poor Athenians who couldn’t afford ticket were paid for by state
ensuring drama comp open to full range of citizens
Judging – randomised to avoid bribery – 10 citizens swear oath of impartiality as judges
Theatre of D (PS) – used from 2nd half of 6thC BC, located above sanctuary of D, prohedria
(vip seats for priests of D), fit 17k ppl, temple for D, sat between acropolis (religious heart of
city) and sanctuary of D, theatron (were audience sat)
Threatre of thorikos (PS) – located in thorikos, used from 5or6thC, hold 6k ppl, temple for D
Building of theatres – built on hill (easy views), located south side of acropolis( shield from
cold winter winds), semi-circular (better acoustics), before 4thC theatres built from wood
(few survived), altar to D (reminder hes watching over fest
Orchestra – area for chorus to dance offstage – between actors and spectators fitting w role
of chorus as mediators of action for spectators
Perseus Vase – phallus shows costumes, medusa head prop, old and young men shows
random picking of judges, shows stage rlly close to audience members, 420 BC
Skene – wooden hut that provided backdrop (to give more character to setting) & place for
actors to change, on top was a trap door to roof used as third acting area (where gods
appeared)
Special effects – ekkyklema (wooden wheel platform used to show scene that happened off-
stage), crane (raised an actor, normally a god, above the level of skene)
Medea krater by Policoro painter (PS) – 400BC, inspired by play but adds stuff like furies,
dead kids on ekkyklema, media flying could be presented w crane
Festival not religious – chance for socialising as ppls main focus, run by epon-arch not priest,
chance for playwrights to gain popularity, 12 plays in total performed occupying most time
Whats in paper – 10&10(max 10mins each), 20 (30mins), 30(45min) and 1&2 markers
throughout - 1h45mins
Dionysus – god of drama, wine and revelry
What’s in festivals – plays, processions, sacrifices and revelry for whole ‘polis’ to attend
Lanaea – held in late jan, drama fest that comedy took precedence
Rural Dionysia. – drama fest in rural demes of attica in winter
Eponymous archon – leading politician of Athens responsible for running city Dionysia
Choregons – financially supported playwrights productions
Lliturgy – tax on rlly rich for function of Athens
Deme – village or district in attica
City Dionysia
Proagon – preview to fest, plays announced, actors seen without masks
torchlight procession – bring statue of D into city to theatre od D for sacrifices, re-enact his
arrival in athens
Day 1 - pompe (grand procession) from outside city to temple of D ending w sacrifice of
bull, dithyramb (choral dance in honour of D) contests w each of 10 tribes doing, komos
(revel) in streets by men of the city
Day 2 – grand opening ceremony in thetre of D w parade of tribute(money from Athenian
empire brought to be viewed), proclamation of honours(recognising ppl who’ve given
outstanding service to city), parade of orphans (for boys whose dads dies fighting for
Athens) comedies, playwrights present play
Day 3,4,5 – 3 trag, 1 satyr plays
Theoric fund - for rrly poor Athenians who couldn’t afford ticket were paid for by state
ensuring drama comp open to full range of citizens
Judging – randomised to avoid bribery – 10 citizens swear oath of impartiality as judges
Theatre of D (PS) – used from 2nd half of 6thC BC, located above sanctuary of D, prohedria
(vip seats for priests of D), fit 17k ppl, temple for D, sat between acropolis (religious heart of
city) and sanctuary of D, theatron (were audience sat)
Threatre of thorikos (PS) – located in thorikos, used from 5or6thC, hold 6k ppl, temple for D
Building of theatres – built on hill (easy views), located south side of acropolis( shield from
cold winter winds), semi-circular (better acoustics), before 4thC theatres built from wood
(few survived), altar to D (reminder hes watching over fest
Orchestra – area for chorus to dance offstage – between actors and spectators fitting w role
of chorus as mediators of action for spectators
Perseus Vase – phallus shows costumes, medusa head prop, old and young men shows
random picking of judges, shows stage rlly close to audience members, 420 BC
Skene – wooden hut that provided backdrop (to give more character to setting) & place for
actors to change, on top was a trap door to roof used as third acting area (where gods
appeared)
Special effects – ekkyklema (wooden wheel platform used to show scene that happened off-
stage), crane (raised an actor, normally a god, above the level of skene)
Medea krater by Policoro painter (PS) – 400BC, inspired by play but adds stuff like furies,
dead kids on ekkyklema, media flying could be presented w crane
Festival not religious – chance for socialising as ppls main focus, run by epon-arch not priest,
chance for playwrights to gain popularity, 12 plays in total performed occupying most time
