visual materials Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is this pot called? Date? Painter?
Thesmophoriazusae pot/Telephus vase, 380-70 BC by Schiller Painter in Southern Italy
What does the Thesmophoriazusae pot depict?
It depicts a scene from Aristophane’s comedy ‘Women from Thesmaphoria’ which was presented in 411. The plot is set at the all-female Athenian festival of Thesmophoria, where they hold a meeting to discuss Euripides. An old male relative infiltrates the meeting and is revealed, then snatches a disguised wineskin, and a drunk woman rushes to catch any wine that may escape.
Why is the Thesmophoriazusae pot useful?
It shows how the play must have been performed in Southern Italy and suggests that Euripides’ plays were well known in this region. The elaborate discovery of the spy is clearly shown, and there is a mirror suspended above, indicating a dressing scene. It gives insight into costume, with men dressed as women and masks with gaping mouths. The humour also surrounds the women getting drunk over three days.
Why is the Thesmophoriazusae pot not useful?
There is no audience or chorus depicted, making the staging more difficult to discern.
What is this pot called? Date? Painter? (birds)
Birds pot, 480 BC, by the Gela painter.
What does the Birds pot depict?
This jug shows an anaulētēs on the left playing his aulos, indicating a theatrical or choral scene. Two bearded figures dressed as birds are dancing to the aulos, with purple crests and feathers.
Why is the Birds pot useful?
It shows that choruses were well known in the 5th century, indicating the origins of comedy. Aristophanes presented comedies with animal choruses, suggesting that the idea predates him. The vines depicted suggest the importance of Dionysus in theatre, and it provides insight into animal-like costumes.
Why is the Birds pot not useful?
There are no details about the play, no actors, only chorus members, and no specifics on how the chorus is performing apart from dancing.
What is this pot called? Date? Artist?
Perseus pot, 420 BC by an unknown painter in Athens.
What is being depicted in the Perseus pot?
Perseus is on stage carrying the sickle used to cut off Medusa’s head, with spectators watching him onstage. They are sitting on klismoi, chairs used at the theatre of Dionysus for the prohedria.
What are the klismoi and the prohedria?
Klismoi = chairs
Prohedria = the area made up of klismoi which separated the audience and the stage, where the most important people sat in the front row.
Why is the Perseus pot useful?
It shows the stage and audience layout, how costume was used, and the importance of social status in Greek theatre. It depicts how the proskenion was used and suggests that one of the spectators may be Dionysus.
Why is the Perseus pot not useful?
It is only a fragment, contains reconstructed features due to damage, and is missing finer details. No chorus is depicted, and it is unclear who the important audience members are supposed to be.
What can theatres tell us about the importance of religion in the theatre?
- temple to Dionysus oftentimes (like in the theatre of Thorikos) placed behind the theatre
- Prohedria would contain a middle seat for a priest of Dionysus, the act of this shows the gods watching.
