Cultural and context
This ancient civilization heavily influenced Roman theatre
What is Greece?
These were the two main genres Roman borrowed from the greeks.
What are tragedy and comedy?
This comic playwright wrote Miles Gloriosus and Pseudolus.
Who is Plautus?
Romans built their theatres out of this material instead of wood.
What is stone?
Roman audiences were known for being anything but this.
What is quiet?
Roman plays were often performed during these public festivals.
What are the ludi?
This lighthearted style mistaken identites was especially popular.
What is comedy?
This playwright gave more realistic personalities to his characters.
Who is Terence?
Unlike Greeks, Romans didn’t need this type of landscape for theatres.
What is a hillside?
This type of play usually got the biggest laughs and cheers.
What is comedy?
Admission to Roman theatre cost this much.
What is free?
These two physical forms included dance, music, and sometimes risque material.
What are mime and pantomime?
This tragic playwright later inspired Shakespeare.
Who is Seneca?
This was the elaborate stage backdrop in Roman theatres.
What is the scaenae frons?
This later group criticized Roman theatre as immoral.
Who are Christians?
Roman theatre served not just entertainment but also this political purpose.
What is propaganda?
Roman plays often emphasozed this element over dialogue.
What is spectacle?
A common theme in Roman comedy is this type of misunderstanding.
What is mistaken identity?
This innovation shielded audiences from the sun.
What are awnings (vela)?
Seneca’s tragedies influenced this period of theatre.
What is the Renaissance?
Romans combined Greek traditions with these two cultures.
What are Etruscan and native Roman traditions?
This type of Roman show featured everyday life and satire.
What is Roman comedy?
Terence’s play Adelphoe translates to this in English.
What is “The Brothers”?
Romans used this machine to lower gods onto the stage.
What is the deus ex machina (crane)?
Roman theatre influenced not just plays, but also this modern entertainment form.
What is film (or sports spectacle)?