HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Multiple kings ruled Rome, the center of the Italian Peninsula, from 750 B.C.E until around 500 B.C.E.  A republic overthrew the king and lasted for 500 years.  Rome came in contact with Greek culture during the Punic Wars which greatly influenced their religion and daily life (including theatre).  Rome eventually became too large to govern which is when Julius Caesar stepped in (49 B.C.E.) and declared himself the dictatorial ruler of Rome.  Four years later Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and his men, who then lost a battle to Mark Antony and Octavian.  The republic was not thriving after all the changes in rulers, so in 27 B.C.E. it became an empire with one ruler.  The Roman Empire united much of Europe under one government as it continued to grow.  The birth of Christianity brought a great divide in the empire, because it clashed with the polytheistic religion of the Romans.  Christians were persecuted throughout the empire until the rule of Constantine who converted to Christianity and united the Empire once more.  Rome had a series of emperors until its fall in 476 C.E. (see bottom of page).

ORIGINS OF ROMAN THEATRE

Roman theatre had some similar origins to Greek theatre.  The Romans involved some theatrical elements in their religious ceremonies, and theatre had its roots in Roman popular entertainment as well.  The Romans are not known for their innovations in theatre, but rather for developments in design and for adaptations of Greek plays.

ROMAN COMEDY

* Writers Plautus and Terence

* Based on Greek New Comedy

*No chorus

*Not dealing with political issues

*Situational comedies dealing with romance

*Stock characters

ROMAN TRAGEDY

Based on Greek tragedy and plots, with the following differences:

*Choruses are not as inherent to action

*He emphasizes violent spectacle

*No characteristic tragic flaws

*Characters have motivating emotion

*Involve supernatural beings

*Long detailed monologues with a lesson

*Five-act structure

 DRAMATIC CRITICISM

The most important person to Roman dramatic criticism is Horace.  Horace was influenced greatly by Aristotle, but they do have differences.  Aristotle's guidelines for theatre were more of a description for what was happening around him.  Horace made a series of rules that he thought should be followed.  Aristotle had descriptive guidelines, Horace had prescriptive rules.

ACTING TROUPES

Troupes in Rome consisted of at least six male actors who contracted with their local governments to be included in festivals.  Since only certain troupes could be hired, there was a level of competition.  The dominus led the troupe and had a number of duties including:

*Organizing the troupe

*Financial planning

*Buying rights to plays from writers

*Hiring musicians

*Acting in shows 

The acting style had some unique qualities.  The Romans built large theatres so it was necessary for larger-than-life exaggerated gestures and strong vocals.  If you are trying to act in an authentic Roman style, Bill-the-fake-acting-teacher would say:

"Work on your detailed pantomime!"

"Don't forget large physical gestures"

"You call that lyrical vocal delivery?"

"If you want to be popular you have to play

    the same roles over and over again!"

Fight About It! Historians have disagreed for years about the status of actors.  It is generally agreed that most actors were of low social status, possibly even slaves, purchased by the dominus.  Other actors were very popular with audiences and some even left behind large estates.

THE FALL OF ROME

Before the fall of Rome, theatre was already deteriorating.  Audiences preferred the simpler popular entertainments like chariot races and gladiator fights to complicated plays.  With the rise of Christianity many people refused to attend the theatre all together, claiming it was immoral.  Church officials went as far as to claim that any person who attended the theatre instead of church on a holy day would be excommunicated.  Actors were sinners and could not take part in any holy activities.  When Constantine ruled the Roman Empire he split it into two parts: east and west, with Constantinople as the eastern capital.  Constantine moved to the east and it became the political center of the empire.  In 476 C.E. barbarians from the north attacked Rome, and because it was no longer the political center of the empire, it was practically un-defended.  The fall of the Western Roman Empire meant the fall of Roman theatre.