Images

A219 The Classical World

Images

I've found that images don't really work the way I want them to here, so I'm hunting for another way of displaying them for you. But I've left these two theatres for you.

Have a look at the physical differences between Greek and Roman theatres.

How did this affect how the theatre worked?

Epidauros

Plan of the theatre

See how the skene (the stage) is invisible to some of the audience. What they all looked at was the dancing-floor (the orchestra).

Acoustics also show where the centre of attention is. An actor could be heard easily from the "sweet spot" in the centre of the orchestra. A yard away from that, and he would be inaudible. So where do you think actors stood?

What do Roman audiences look at?

What is the semi-circular bit used for?

Here's a Roman theatre, from Belkiz in modern Turkey. How does it differ from a Greek one? The central focus is different - how?

Roman theatres were designed so that the stage was the centre of attention.

Do hunt on the internet - there's so many pictures of Greek and Roman stuff there.

Make sure you answer the actual question