Initially, temporary scaffolds made of wood were constructed as theater buildings in Ancient Rome , which broke at the end of the spectacle. Through the three ladders that led to the platform, the characters ascended the stage. Instead of the background, there was a back wall with a curtain. For spectators, benches were placed in front of the stage. [one]
The first permanent theater was built of stone around 55 BC on the initiative of the commander - Gnei Pompey the Great . The capacity of the building was 17 thousand spectators.
By the end of the 1st century BC, the number of theaters in Rome increased to three, the last two of which accommodated about 45 thousand spectators. [2]
A feature of the ancient Roman theater building was that here the orchestra was a semicircle. Due to the lack of a choir in Roman plays, spectators who were representatives of the nobility sat on the orchestra.
A curia adjoined the theater bordered by a portico - a meeting room of the Senate of Rome.
The building was three-story, with a special dome - velarium for protection from rain and heat. The amphitheater was supported by a foundation with arches.
Actors performed on the so-called proscenium , a special venue. [2]
Men played the roles of both men and women. Actors performed with a mask on their faces in only one genre - Atellan . The rejection of the masks was mandatory in nature. The profession of an actor was considered very shameful. [3]
In the entire history of the ancient Roman theater, the most popular among the actors were comedian Rosziy and the author of the tragedies, Esop (Aesop). [four]
Notes
- ↑ Roman theater . Date of appeal October 14, 2018.
- ↑ 1 2 Gamma | Features of the theater in ancient Rome and the architecture of the theater building (Russian) (neopr.) ? . www.art-gamma.com. Date of appeal October 14, 2018.
- ↑ History of the Roman Theater (English) . retrobazar.com. Date of appeal October 14, 2018.
- ↑ Theater in Ancient Rome . www.letopis.info. Date of appeal October 14, 2018.