Greek Theatre,Art &

Architecture

Greek Theatre

Origins

-historians believe that the first theatre started from the ceremonies Greeks attended in honor of Dionysus, the God of fertility/wine.

-eventually, theatre attendance became a popular form of entertainment.

Greek Theatre

Huge stone auditoriums were built for performances. (some could hold up to 14 000 people)

Plays were popular… but throwing food was allowed if you disliked it!

All actors were men.

Greek Theatre

There were two main types of plays: Tragedy – a play with an unhappy

ending. Comedy – a play with a

happy/cheerful ending.

Greek Theatre

Other words we use in theatre today that comes from Ancient Greece: Orchestra – the place in front of the

stage reserved for the chorus. Chorus – the actors who commented on

the plot to the audience, they danced while they spoke.

Theatron – the place where the audience sat.

Greek Art

Greek painters and sculptors showed human beings as beautiful and unflawed.

This reflects the fact that a beautiful body was as important as a beautiful mind.

People rarely expressed the extremes of emotion in art.

Greek Art

Human figures in Greek art stood or sat in calm and dignified poses.

The gods/goddesses were a popular subject.

Greek Art

Art tended to take the following forms. Sculptures Paintings Pottery

Greek Art

Greek Architecture

Architects strove for harmony and balance in their work.

They applied mathematical laws of proportion to their temples and theaters.

Architecture

The Greeks used three styles of columns. Doric Ionic Corinthian

Architecture

Doric The style is

rather sturdy and its top (the capital), is plain. This style was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily.

Architecture An example of Doric columns is on the

Parthenon – one of the most famous pieces of Greek architecture.

Architecture

Ionic The Ionic style is

thinner and more elegant. Its capital is decorated with a scroll-like design (a volute). This style was found in eastern Greece and the islands.

Architecture The temple of Athena Nike in Athens.

Architecture

Corinthian The Corinthian

style is seldom used in the Greek world, but often seen on Roman temples. Its capital is very elaborate and decorated with acanthus leaves.

Architecture The temple of Zeus in Athens.

Architecture

You see bits and pieces of Greek architecture in many modern buildings – for example, the White House.