Theatre of ancient Rome

This article is about theatrical performances in ancient Rome. For the building, see Roman theatre (structure). The Roman theatre is a theatre building built by the Romans for watching theatrical performances.

Roman theatre at Orange, France

The theatre of ancient Rome refers to dramatic performances performed in Rome and the its dominions during classical antiquity. Orange ( Provençal Occitan: Aurenja in classical norm or Aurenjo in Mistralian norm norm is a town and commune in the Classical antiquity (also the classical era or classical period) is a broad term for a long period of cultural History centered on the Mediterranean

Ancient Roman theatre was heavily influenced by the Greek tradition, and as with many other literary genres Roman dramatists tended to adapt and translate from the Greek. For example, Seneca's Phaedra was based on that of Euripides, and many of the comedies of Plautus were direct translations of works by Menander. Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca, or Seneca the Younger; Σένεκας in Ancient Greek literature (c Titus Maccius Plautus (c 254–184 BCE commonly known as Plautus, was a Roman Playwright. Menander ( Greek:, Menandros; ca 342&ndash291 BC Greek Dramatist, the best-known representative of Athenian New Comedy, was the son

When comparing and contrasting ancient Roman theatre to that of Greek theatre it can easily be said that Roman theatre was less influenced by religion. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 The theatre of ancient Greece, or ancient Greek drama, is a theatrical Culture that flourished in ancient Greece between c Also, Roman theatre was more for aesthetic appeal. In Roman theatre war was a more common thing to appear on stage as opposed to the Greek theatre where the plays were mimed and repetitive. The actors developed a kind of code that would tell the audience about the characters just by looking at them.

A purple robe meant the character was a young man.
A yellow robe meant the character was a woman. (Needed in early Roman theatre, as originally female characters were played by men, however as the Roman theatre progressed, women slaves took the roles of women in plays. )
A yellow tassel meant the character was a god.

Roman costumes mirrored traditional Greek garments. Actors commonly wore a long robe, called a Chiton. A chiton ( Ancient Greek khitōn (χιτών was a form of clothing in Ancient Greece, worn by both women and men Chitons were often colored to denote character and rank.

Plays lasted for two hours, and were usually comedies. Most comedies involved mistaken identity (such as gods disguised as humans).

Stock Characters

Stock characters were very important in Roman comedy. A stock character is one which relies heavily on cultural types or names for his or her personality manner of speech and other characteristics A stock character is one that the audience will be familiar with and that is used in many plays. They were greatly used by Plautus. Titus Maccius Plautus (c 254–184 BCE commonly known as Plautus, was a Roman Playwright. Stock characters could sometimes even be recognized by their speech. The costumes they wore varied with the type of show but were used to identify the type of character. Over time these outfits became more realistic. The standard costume base was a tunic and cloak. A tunic is any of several types of Clothing for the body with or without Sleeves and of various lengths reaching from the hips to the ankles At first masks were common because actors would play multiple characters and the masks made them easier to distinguish. Over time the comedic masks became grotesquely exaggerated.

The adulescens was the hero, who is young, rich, love-struck and none too brave. He tends to bemoan his fate and requires backup. Another character often has to take action on his behalf. His father is often the senex, whom he fears, but does not respect. He wears a dark wig and his clothes are usually crimson.

The senex (old man) has several incarnations. As the father he is either too strict or too soft; either one he does out of love for his son. As the lover he embarrasses his son, his slave, and his wife. He tends to be passionately in love with the same woman as his son, who is much too young for the senex. He never gets the girl and is often dragged off by his irate wife. Sometimes he is a friend of the family who helps the adulescens. He is often a miser, who wears a straight undergarment with long doubled sleeves. It is white and he sometimes carries a staff.

The leno runs the brothel. The love interest of the adulescens may be owned by the leno and work at his brothel so the adulescens is often forced to deal with him. He is unabashedly amoral and is only interested in money. He dresses in a tunic and mantel and is often bald with a moneybag.

The miles gloriosus, literally braggart soldier, is a character that is especially familiar today. He loves himself more than anything else and sees himself as handsome and brave, while in reality he is very stupid, cowardly, and gullible. He may be interested in the same girl as the adulescens'. He wears a tunic with long sleeves and has curly hair.

The parasitus or parasite lives only for himself. He is often seen begging meals or being refused them. He lies for his own gain. He dresses in a long, black or gray garment with long, doubled sleeves.

The servi (slaves) take up about half of the cast and often have the most monologues. A monologue is an extended uninterrupted speech or poem by a single person They are not the toilers typical of a real Roman home. The servus callidus or clever slave is always talkative, but his other traits vary. Most of the time he is loyal, more so to the adulescens than the senex. He brings tricks and comedy and tends to drive the plot. He is often the one who finds the truth out at the end of the play. He could be identified by his tendency to use alliteration and meter in his speech. The servi wear tunics and hold or carry scarves.

The ancilla is a maid or nurse of no particular age. She is a minor character used to move the plot by presenting information or helping to develop another character. She is a tool of her mistress and may be used as a messenger.

The matrona (mother), mulier (woman), or uxor (wife) is shrewd. She loves her children, but is temperamental towards her husband. She does not have to be a devoted wife, but sometimes is. She wears a long garment with flowing sleeves and a mantel.

The meretrix (prostitute) is either a mercenary or devoted. The first type is older or more experienced and has seen a lot. The second type is truly in love with the adulescens. Both are very attractive with a complex hairdo and outfit, which is yellow. She also has a mantel.

The virgo (young maiden) is the love interest of the adulescens, but does not get much stage time. She is beautiful and virtuous with little personality. She is treated as a prize.

Notable Roman Playwrights

Plautus - 3rd century BC comedic playwright and writer of Miles Gloriosus, Pseudolus, and Menaechmi. Titus Maccius Plautus (c 254–184 BCE commonly known as Plautus, was a Roman Playwright. The 3rd century BC started the first day of 300 BC and ended the last day of 201 BC Miles Gloriosus (literally "famous or boastful soldier" in Latin) is a Stock character from the Drama, specifically Comedy, Pseudolus is a play by the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. Menaechmi, a Latin -language play is considered by many as Plautus ' greatest play
Terence, who wrote between 170 and 160 BC. Publius Terentius Afer (195/185&ndash159 BC better known as Terence, was a Playwright of the Roman Republic.
Seneca the Younger - 1st century dramatist most famous for Roman adaptations of ancient Greek plays like Medea and Phaedra. Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca, or Seneca the Younger; Σένεκας in Ancient Greek literature (c The 1st century was the Century that lasted from 1 to 100 according the Julian calendar.
Quintus Ennius - contemporary of Plautus who wrote both comedies and tragedies
Marcus Pacuvius - Ennius's nephew and tragic playwright

Stock Characters

Notable Roman Playwrights

See also