greek drama quiz

golden age

5th century BCE in Athens

three of the key tragedians

Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides

aristophanes

greek comic playwright

the age of pericles

a time period where the general pericles led Athens during its peak. Parthenon, home to dramatists, democracy.

Parthenon

former ancient greek temple on the acropolis in athens; a temple/shrine for the goddess Athena

tragedy

Explored serious human struggles, fate, pride, divine justice, and the conflict between mortals and gods. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides

comedy

Focused on contemporary society, politics, human vanity, and everyday civic life rather than distant mythological epics. Aristophanes.

satyr

Acted as a "joking tragedy" or comic relief performed as the fourth piece after a trilogy of tragedies to lighten the audience's mood. Features a chorus of satyrs—mythological half-human, half-goat or horse creatures. Euripides' Cyclops.

structure of greek tragedy

The structure of a Greek tragedy followsa fixed, cyclical pattern of alternating dialogue and choral songs

prologue

An opening speech or scene by one or more characters that introduces the drama and explains the background story.

parados

The initial entrance song and march of the chorus into the circular orchestra, often establishing the mood.

Episode (Episodion)

Three to five dramatic scenes where actors interact with each other and the chorus. These are spoken or chanted in verse.

Stasimon

A stationary choral ode sung and danced by the chorus after each episode. Typically composed in pairs of strophe (movement across the orchestra) and antistrophe (return movement), these odes reflect on the preceding action, weigh moral dilemmas, or connect the plot to broader mythology.

strophe

movement across the orchestra

antistrophe

return movement

exodos

The final exit scene where the characters depart and the chorus leaves the orchestra, providing a concluding resolution or final lament.

theatron

The tiered viewing area carved into a natural hillside where spectators sat. “seeing place”

orchestra

The flat, circular or semi-circular space in the center where the chorus sang, danced, and interacted with the actors. “dancing place)

skene

A rectangular building located behind the orchestra that served as a backdrop, dressing room, and storage area for props and costumes. “stage building”

Parodos

The wide entrance archways and pathways on either side of the orchestra used by the chorus and actors to enter and exit

Thymele

An altar dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and theater, typically located in the center of the orchestra

diazoma

horizontal walkways located between the epitheatron and theatron

logeion

speaking area, located in front of the skene

mechane

crane used in greek theater to represent flight, lifted actors

ekkyklema

moving platform used in performances for revealing or changing scenes (usually murder/dying scenes)

scaena ductilis

painted scenery panels that could be drawn apart or slid on tracks to reveal scenes/interiors

origins of greek drama

Greek drama originated in6th-century BCE Athensas a form of religious worship honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness

Dithyrambs

Early performances began as dithyrambs—hymns and choral chants sung and danced by a chorus of men around an altar to praise Dionysus

City Dionysia

a major ancient Athenian religious and civic festival held annually in honor of the god Dionysus

more info about city dionysia

held each spring, centered at the theatre of dionysus on the southern slope of the acropolis, dramatic competitions

Proagon (day 1)

ceremony before the contest in which poets and actors announce plays

Pompe (Day 2)

procession from town to sacred precinct of Dionysus, music and dancing along the way, sacrifice of a bull; dithyrambs in the theater

Day 3 of city dionysia

five comedies performed

Days 4-6 of city dionysia

each day a single poet would present three tragedies and one satyr

Day 7 of city dionysia (last day)

assembly, winners announced

how many of Euripides plays survived

18

agon

conflict, action

temple of dionysus

Ancient Greek theaters were built inside sanctuaries dedicated to Dionysus, most famously on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens