{{Imageneed|''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]''}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]''}}
{{Update|''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]''}}
{{Update|''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]''}}
'''Take to the stage to learn about ancient Greek theater and drama competitions.'''
'''Take to the stage to learn about ancient [[Greece|Greek]] theater and drama competitions.'''
<tabber>
<tabber>
|-|Opening Remarks=
|-|Opening Remarks=
*'''Aspasia:''' ''Welcome, wanderer, to one of the most prestigious places in Greece: the theater.''
*'''[[Aspasia]]:''' ''Welcome, wanderer, to one of the most prestigious places in Greece: the theater.''
("Who are you?")
("Who are you?")
*'''Aspasia:''' ''My name is Aspasia. Though I am not original from Athens, I have climbed to the top of its social ladder using my wit and intellect. I've even earned the love of Perikles, one of the most powerful men in the city. The mind truly is a beautiful thing.''
*'''Aspasia:''' ''My name is Aspasia. Though I am not original from [[Athens]], I have climbed to the top of its social ladder using my wit and intellect. I've even earned the love of [[Perikles]], one of the most powerful men in the city. The mind truly is a beautiful thing.''
("What do you think of this place?")
("What do you think of this place?")
Line 17:
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|-|The Greek Theater=
|-|The Greek Theater=
[[File:DTAG - Theater Representation.png|thumb|250px|Theater representation, concept art by Caroline Soucy / 2017]]
Theater is not just part of geek culture, but was a major part of Greek culture.
In Athens, comedies and dramas originated from the dancing and singing performed by members of the cult of [[Dionysos]].
Between 536 and 533 BCE, theater's burgeoning importance in Athens was demonstrated when the responsibility of organizing tragedies was entrusted to the archon - the highest ranking magistrate in the city.
From then on, theater grew rapidly in popularity, and soon a permanent space for performing and watching plays was built on the slope of the akropolis.
During the 5th century BCE, theater became intertwined with Athens's democracy.
It often functioned as an echo chamber for political ideas, and in some cases, it could even influence public opinion.
Asa result, in the 4th century BCE, Plato coined the term "theatrocracy" to describe his city's politics.
'''Learn More:'''
Athenian dramatic contents featured three types of drama: comedies, tragedies, and raunchy satyr plays. These plays were not just dramatic stories, but complete performances accompanied by music, singing, and dancing. These elements combined to form an exquisite tribute to the god Dionysos.
Sadly, only a few plays from Classical Athens have survived; those of the famous tragedians [[Aischylos|Aiskhylos]]. [[Sophokles]], and [[Euripides]], and the work of the comic poet [[Artistophanes]]. Aiskhylos was born c. 525 BCE. He was part of a wealthy noble family, and was present at many famous battles, including the [[Battle of Marathon]], the [[Battle of Salamis]], and the [[Battle of Plataia]]. As a result, the [[Greco-Persian Wars]] heavily influenced his work as a playwright, and his first tragedy, "The Persians" was a celebration of the Battle of Salamis.
Sophokles was born a few years before the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. He was a friend of Perikles, and was incredibly prolific writing over 120 plays in his lifetime, including "{{Wiki|Oedipus Rex}}", "{{Wiki|Ajax (play)|Ajax}}", and "{{Wiki|Electra (Sophocles play)|Elektra}}".
Euripides was the youngest of the three tragedians, born in 480 BCE. Unlike Aiskhylos and Sophokles, he came from a modest family, and though his plays were not as celebrated as the other two, they became very successful after his death. He introduced many innovations to theater, especially in the field of music.
Aristophanes was a comic playwright, Though he is considered the "Father of Comedy", little is known about his life. What is known is that he was a proponent of peace, and that his plays often referenced Athenian politics. The most frequent targets in his plays were [[Kleon]], Euripides, [[Sokrates]], and the sophists.
|-|Sanctuary of Dionysos=
|-|Sanctuary of Dionysos=
[[File:DTAG - Tetracdrachm of Thasos.png|thumb|250px|Tetracdrachm of Thasos with head of Dionysos - 168-148 BCE (Hellenstic Greece)]]
Theatrical competitions were held in the sanctuary of Dionysos Eleutherios, god of wine and patron of drama.
Dionysos was the son of [[Zeus]] and a mortal woman named {{Wiki|Semele}}.
Stories say that Zeus, who had fallen in love with Semele, appeared to her holding a lightning bolt in his hand.
Semele was tragically struck dead by the lightning, but Zeus managed to save her unborn child, keeping the embryo in his thigh until it fully gestated.
This is why the name Dionysos is sometimes thought to mean "born twice".
In Athens, theater was a part of the cult of Dionysos, and stage productions in the god's honor were held during festivals like the Lenaea and the Great Dionysia.
'''Learn More:'''
The Theater of Dionysos as it exists today dates back to the 4th century BCE, when the statesman Lykourgos reorganized the sanctuary. It features a circular orchestra, with a stone skene or stage - in front of it. However, archaeologists believe that the original shape of the orchestra was a square.
In the Hellenistic period, 67 marble thrones reserved for city officials were added around the orchestra. At the center of this row was a seat meant for the priest of Dionysos. During the Roman period, a new stage was built in honor of both the god and the emperor Nero, and extra seats of honor were added around the edge of the orchestra.
|-|Festivals=
|-|Festivals=
|-|Dionysia and Drama Competitions=
|-|Dionysia and Drama Competitions=
Revision as of 15:12, 8 July 2023
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Take to the stage to learn about ancient Greek theater and drama competitions.
Aspasia:Welcome, wanderer, to one of the most prestigious places in Greece: the theater.
("Who are you?")
Aspasia:My name is Aspasia. Though I am not original from Athens, I have climbed to the top of its social ladder using my wit and intellect. I've even earned the love of Perikles, one of the most powerful men in the city. The mind truly is a beautiful thing.
("What do you think of this place?")
Aspasia:I'd tell you, but I think it's best to let the actors speak for themselves.
("Let's begin the tour.")
Aspasia:The theater was where audiences gathered to watch plays. They were the highest form of art in Greece, and people saw theater as a symbol of complete harmony between the mortal and the divine. When you're done taking in the sights and sounds, come see me, and we'll take more. Until then, wanderer.
Theater representation, concept art by Caroline Soucy / 2017
Theater is not just part of geek culture, but was a major part of Greek culture.
In Athens, comedies and dramas originated from the dancing and singing performed by members of the cult of Dionysos.
Between 536 and 533 BCE, theater's burgeoning importance in Athens was demonstrated when the responsibility of organizing tragedies was entrusted to the archon - the highest ranking magistrate in the city.
From then on, theater grew rapidly in popularity, and soon a permanent space for performing and watching plays was built on the slope of the akropolis.
During the 5th century BCE, theater became intertwined with Athens's democracy.
It often functioned as an echo chamber for political ideas, and in some cases, it could even influence public opinion.
Asa result, in the 4th century BCE, Plato coined the term "theatrocracy" to describe his city's politics.
Learn More:
Athenian dramatic contents featured three types of drama: comedies, tragedies, and raunchy satyr plays. These plays were not just dramatic stories, but complete performances accompanied by music, singing, and dancing. These elements combined to form an exquisite tribute to the god Dionysos.
Sadly, only a few plays from Classical Athens have survived; those of the famous tragedians Aiskhylos. Sophokles, and Euripides, and the work of the comic poet Artistophanes. Aiskhylos was born c. 525 BCE. He was part of a wealthy noble family, and was present at many famous battles, including the Battle of Marathon, the Battle of Salamis, and the Battle of Plataia. As a result, the Greco-Persian Wars heavily influenced his work as a playwright, and his first tragedy, "The Persians" was a celebration of the Battle of Salamis.
Sophokles was born a few years before the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. He was a friend of Perikles, and was incredibly prolific writing over 120 plays in his lifetime, including "Oedipus Rex", "Ajax", and "Elektra".
Euripides was the youngest of the three tragedians, born in 480 BCE. Unlike Aiskhylos and Sophokles, he came from a modest family, and though his plays were not as celebrated as the other two, they became very successful after his death. He introduced many innovations to theater, especially in the field of music.
Aristophanes was a comic playwright, Though he is considered the "Father of Comedy", little is known about his life. What is known is that he was a proponent of peace, and that his plays often referenced Athenian politics. The most frequent targets in his plays were Kleon, Euripides, Sokrates, and the sophists.
Tetracdrachm of Thasos with head of Dionysos - 168-148 BCE (Hellenstic Greece)
Theatrical competitions were held in the sanctuary of Dionysos Eleutherios, god of wine and patron of drama.
Dionysos was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman named Semele.
Stories say that Zeus, who had fallen in love with Semele, appeared to her holding a lightning bolt in his hand.
Semele was tragically struck dead by the lightning, but Zeus managed to save her unborn child, keeping the embryo in his thigh until it fully gestated.
This is why the name Dionysos is sometimes thought to mean "born twice".
In Athens, theater was a part of the cult of Dionysos, and stage productions in the god's honor were held during festivals like the Lenaea and the Great Dionysia.
Learn More:
The Theater of Dionysos as it exists today dates back to the 4th century BCE, when the statesman Lykourgos reorganized the sanctuary. It features a circular orchestra, with a stone skene or stage - in front of it. However, archaeologists believe that the original shape of the orchestra was a square.
In the Hellenistic period, 67 marble thrones reserved for city officials were added around the orchestra. At the center of this row was a seat meant for the priest of Dionysos. During the Roman period, a new stage was built in honor of both the god and the emperor Nero, and extra seats of honor were added around the edge of the orchestra.
Aspasia:Hello again, wanderer. I hope your visit was entertaining. Though all art forms in important in Greek culture, non had the same prestige as theater, which provided a unique experience with every performance. Is there anything else you'd like to do?
("I'm ready for the quiz.")
("Take on the next suggested tour.")
("Take me on a random tour.")
([LEAVE] "That's all for now.")
Aspasia:Then I will leave you be. Farewell, wanderer.
