History of Athens
True or False: We have more information on the Theatre in Athens than any other early theatre.
True
define rhetoric
(noun) the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
Definition provided by Oxford Languages
Most cities in ancient Greece had a patron god. Who was the patron God of Athens?
Athena
Name a form of civic duty or occupation that an Athenian citizen may fulfill.
Soldier, sailor, athlete, participant or spectator at annual religious festivals, legislators, debaters, judges, or jury members
________ became the first democracy.
Athens
What form of evidence do we have of the Theatre in Athens?
(multiple answers acceptable)
Documents, remains of buildings, pottery, engravings, over 40 plays
Define autocrat (tyrannos)
(noun) a ruler who has absolute power
Further analysis from Britannica
"a cruel and oppressive ruler or, in ancient Greece, a ruler who seized power unconstitutionally or inherited such power."
Every 4 years the Panathenaia honored Athena with a what?
Hint: a gift to Athena
A new dress to clothe the image of the Goddess
In the 5th century BCE, boys were required to attend school. What did they study?
(multiple answers acceptable)
Writing, Music, Arithmetic
All performers in Greek theatre were _____, including those playing female characters.
Male
The earliest form of tragedy, probably created by Thespis, consisted of a single actor before a chorus. It wasn’t until some decades later that the playwright Aeschylus added a second actor, and possibly the third as well, each of whom would play several roles. Three actors became the maximum permitted.
From what civilization did the Greeks adopt the basis of their alphabet?
The Phoenicians
define theatron [THAY-ah-trohn]
"seeing place," where the spectators sat
Ancient Greek religion is categorized as what?
Polytheistic
True or False: due to the rise of literacy, public fistfights became more common
False, public debates and oratory became more popular practice
"Music was a constant part of all performances."
What instrument(s) were often played?
Note: multiple answers are acceptable
Aulos- wind instrument, double pipe, sounded somewhat like an oboe
Harp- stringed, plucked instrument
Lyre- stringed musical instrument (unlike a straight-necked harp, a lyre has a curved neck)
The autocrats Cleistenes established legislative systems and courts making Athens the first ______
The first democracy
define polis [POH-lis]
(noun) The small-scale political structure and independence of the ancient Greek city-state
Identify one of four Major Dionysian festivals held annually
The Rural Dionysia, The Lenaia, The Anthesteria, The City/Great Dionysia
Citizens studied what to become masterful at giving speeches with little to no preparation.
Rhetoric
Thespis was the first winner of the competitions in tragedy, which were typical in Greek festivals. Thespis was also known as the first _____
the first actor
Identify one source that led to the rise in literacy in Athens
Trading, merchants, shopkeepers and Democratic structure
define Dithyrambs [DIH-thih-ram]
a wild choral hymn of ancient Greece, especially one dedicated to Dionysus (the god of wine and fertility)
What was the name of the theatre built in honor of Dionysus called?
"Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus" or Dionysius the liberator
What did Aristotle think was the core of drama?
Mimesis - imitation or representation of action and characters
Between 431 and 404 BCE, the Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta and their allies fought a series of devastating battles called the _______ War.
Peloponnesian War