Clas 201 Exam 3 Flashcards
(109 cards)
Orchestra
Primarily a dancing ground for the chorus
Early days - square; later days - circular
Chorus would dance and sing and would interact with primary characters
Chorus
12-15 actors with a group identity; grew larger overtime
Wore masks
Persian chorus - upper class Persian elders who took government positions while Xerxes was gone
Theatron
Where the spectators sat
“Viewing place”
Hillside overlooking the orchestra
People were packed in tight; this created community
Skene
Building directly behind the stage
The stage is separate from the orchestra
Actors were on the stage, chorus was on the orchestra
Early - just a tent structure; at least 1 set of doors with roof access from behind
Also served as a dressing and prop room
Parados (pl. Parodoi)
Where chorus made their exit/entrance; “the road beside”
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Label the parts of a Greek theater
Theatron
Parados Orchestra Parados
Skene
Performance of a Greek Tragedy
Involved music, singing, and dancing (elaborate choreography)
Similar to opera rather than plays
Only performed by men (they also played female roles)
We don’t know if women were allowed to go to plays
Dionysia
“Things having to do with Dionysus”
Religious festival held in Athens once a year; fertility festival; arrival of spring
Tragedies viewed
Lasted 5 days; 3 days of tragedies
3 poets competing - 1 poet per day, 4 plays - 3 tragedies and 1 lighthearted
Winner got a crown made of ivy (had symbolic value)
Aeschylus
Oldest of 3 famed tragedians (other 2 Sophocles and Euripides)
Born 525 BCE died around 456 BCE; Classical Age
Privileged; lofty language, religious sensibility; valorized patriotism
Only have 6 extant plays; often an actor in his own plays
13 victories
Fought at the Battle of Marathon
The Chorus of the Persians
Battle of Salamis as seen from the Persian side; sympathetic to the Persians
Based on historical events; presented in 472 BCE
Persian Susa; tomb of Darius nearby (previous king)
Opening of play is chorus singing and introducing themselves; trusted with looking over the country while Xerxes is away
Mentions individual socio-economic elite Persians and allies
Xerxes’ Bridging of the Hellespont
Straight of Hellespont (Dardanelles); separates Europe from Asia; famous accomplishment for Xerxes
Planks over tops of boats to make a ‘road’
Going beyond propriety; hubristic; going beyond Poseidon
Proskonesis
Bowing down of 1 person before another; Greeks didn’t practice this; Persians had to when greeting royalty
Gives a view of hierarchical society in Persia
The Persian Queen
Bedmate and mother of a god
Fears that Xerxes and kingdom are in peril
Dream and bird omen
The Queen’s Dream
2 beautiful women (sisters) wearing Persian and Doran clothing; start squabbling
Xerxes places the women under a yoke strip; Persian women becomes obedient, but Greek women fights back; can’t get Greece under his control
Greeks and Persians are related (share ancestors)
The Queen’s Bird Omen
Hawk swoops down on eagle; eagle cowers in fear
Eagle - Persian empire; Hawk - Greece (Apollo)
Symbolizes flight of Persians when they flee Greece; Greeks will get their revenge against Persians
Trireme and Naval Warfare
Trireme - ancient warship; 3 levels of oars; most important warship in Mediterranean
Greeks had 300 ships, Persians had 1,000
Some god aided Greeks
Huge bronze prow (440+ pounds); main part of trireme warfare (rammed other ships)
Persians were tightly squished together, began ramming one another
Psytallia
Island between Athens and Salamis; Xerxes placed land forces here (best warriors)
Planned to kill any Greeks who washed up, but the Persian soldiers were killed
After sea battle, put on hoplite armor; losses are hurtful for Persians
Hubris (insolence, haughtiness)
Someone is acting out above their station
Ex. Xerxes bridges Hellespont; boastful Persian nation is going to be destroyed
Reversal of fortune; Queen offers libations in hopes to win favor of Darius
The Ghost of Darius
Darius is fed, Darius appears, brings only bad news
Powerful divinity put Xerxes out of his right mind; goes beyond propriety (acts of hubris)
Darius’ Prophecy of Plateia
“Requital of godless arrogance” for Persians because they burned down Greek temples and such; more suffering is to come
Kommos
Sung lament between an actor and the chorus; 1 actor and choral body; very emotionally overwhelmed
Lamentation, sad singing, Xerxes returns to Persia
Schadenfreude or compassion?
Some of audience probably fought at Salamis
Does Athenian audience feel compassion for the Persians?
The Classical Age (480 BCE-338 BCE) and the Pentecontaetia
Pentecontaetia - 50 year period
From Sparta to Athens
Greeks were fascinated by the Persians
Pausanias started acting like a Persian
Hubris - Ate
Ionians wanted Athenians to be in charge of Greek forces