13. Recitation Week 5: Greek Theatre

Mousikos Agon

• Musical & performance contests

• Central at Delphi and Isthmia

• Included:

  • Kithara

  • Aulos (double flute)

  • Poetry, drama, prose

Theatre & Sport

• Performance viewed as competitive agon

• Professional performers existed

• Women could participate (unlike Olympics)

Greek Theatre

• Part of religious festivals

• Included spectacle (deus ex machina)

• Comedy (Aristophanes): political + social critique

Key Theme

• Greek culture treats art, music, and drama as athletic contests