Greek Drama terms Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is Agōn?
A contest or struggle, often used to describe dramatic debates in Greek plays or competitions in sports.
What is an Anapest?
A type of poetic meter with two short syllables followed by a long one (da-da-DUM), often used in Greek and Latin poetry.
What is an Archon?
A high-ranking official or ruler in ancient Greece, often responsible for overseeing legal and religious matters.
What is an Aulos?
A musical instrument like a double-reeded flute, commonly played in Greek theater and religious ceremonies.
What is a Chorēgos?
A wealthy citizen who sponsored theatrical performances in ancient Greece, paying for the chorus and production costs.
What is a Dactyl?
A type of poetic meter with one long syllable followed by two short ones (DUM-da-da), commonly found in epic poetry.
What is Dēmos?
The common people or citizens of a Greek city-state, especially in democratic Athens.
What is a Didaskalos?
A teacher or instructor; in theater, the playwright or director who taught the chorus their roles.
What is a Dithyramb?
A passionate choral hymn sung in honor of the god Dionysus, often seen as a precursor to Greek tragedy.
Who are the Dorian Greeks?
A group of ancient Greek people known for their distinct dialect and culture, who settled in places like Sparta and Crete.
What is Eisodos?
One of the two passageways in a Greek theater that actors and chorus members used to enter the stage.
What is an Ekkyklēma?
A wheeled platform used in Greek theater to reveal scenes that happened offstage, such as a dead body.
What are Episodes in Greek theater?
The sections of a Greek play between choral songs, where the main action and dialogue take place.
What is Exodos?
The final scene or conclusion of a Greek tragedy, often including the departure of the chorus.
What is a Hypothesis?
A proposed explanation or idea based on limited evidence, meant to be tested through further investigation.
What is Iambic meter?
A type of poetic meter with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one (da-DUM), often used in Greek drama.
What is a Kommos?
A lyrical song of lamentation sung by the chorus and main character together in a Greek tragedy.
Who are the Maenads?
Female followers of Dionysus, often depicted as wild and frenzied in Greek myths.
What is a Mēchanē?
A crane-like device in Greek theater used to lift actors playing gods, creating the illusion of divine intervention.
What is Metatheater?
A play that is aware of itself as a play, often commenting on its own theatrical nature.
What is Monody?
A solo song performed in Greek drama, expressing deep personal emotions.
What is the Orchēstra?
The circular space in a Greek theater where the chorus performed, located in front of the stage.
What is Parabasis?
A moment in Greek comedy when the chorus directly addresses the audience, often to express the playwright’s opinions.
What is a Paragraphos?
A horizontal line or mark in ancient Greek manuscripts used to separate sections of text.
