Tavmaturgy

Tavmaturgy ( Greek θαυματουργία "miracles") - the ancient Greek art of magic and miracles; mastery of magicians, "thaumaturges" ^[1] .

Greek magicians ( Greek θαυματουργοί or θάνματοποιοί ) before the era of Alexander the Great could show their art only at feasts. Theaters later lost their sacred character, as a result of which theatrical performances also lost the character of worship . It became possible to give performances not only during the Dionysian holidays , but also at any other time ^[2] .

Theaters over time have acquired a resemblance to modern variety shows , and the main role was played by magicians . The tricks demonstrated by them can be judged both by reports of ancient authors and by numerous drawings on vases . The magicians danced between drawn swords or on a rope, played with numerous rings and balls, pulled all kinds of things from the nose or ear of one of those present, poured wine from the large vessel into the small one using their feet (standing on the hands and holding the small vessel with the fingers of one foot, and the large fingers of the other), they also shot from the bow with the help of the legs (with one foot they held the bow and the other with the arrow), etc. ^[2] .