Roman Theater

Introduction

Theater today is a form of entertainment that can also act as a comment on society or motivate people to change. Theater is a mirror of the people and the society from which it springs. The Romans borrowed and adapted many Greek traditions, including their theater. Although based on Greek forms, Roman theater differed in being largely for entertainment. What does this tell you about the Romans? And what does your entertainment say about you?

Guiding Question

How does theater change and evolve to reflect the people who create it?

Questions

1. What were most Roman plays about?
2. Describe a typical audience at an ancient Roman theater.
3. What did Romans do to the Greek Theaters?
4. What did the Roman Coliseum look like?
5. Where were the coliseums located in Roman cities?
6. Explain five forms of entertainment that might have been seen in an ancient Roman coliseum.
7. Who were the actors?
8. Were most of Roman plays tragedies or comedies?
9. What was Roman Theater known for?
10. When did the era of Roman Theater end?
11. What were the costumes like in ancient Roman theater?
12. How did that affect the action?
13. What is a farce?
14. Describe at least three types of stock characters.
15. Name three typical characteristics of the plays that Terence wrote.
16. Name three typical characteristics of the plays that Seneca wrote.
17. Name at least one more famous playwright from ancient Rome.
18. Give three reasons the Church banned theater in Rome.
19. Which emperor facilitated this decline?

Internet Resources

What the Roman Play was Like
Roman Theatre: General Information
Greek and Roman Theatre
Terence and his Plays
Writings and Career of Plautus
Ennius
Seneca's Career and Works
A Brief History of Roman Theatre
Theatre Terms
History of Ancient Theatre
History of Theatre and Acting
Roman Entertainment
More on Roman Entertainment

Activities

1. Imagine yourself as a newspaper correspondent sent to cover the opening of the Coliseum in ancient Rome. Write a newspaper article describing it.
2. Choose an ordinary citizen in ancient Rome and create a "Day in the Life" journal.
3. You're in charge of planning a gladiator exhibition and must hire two gladiators. Prepare a detailed job description including required skills, necessary equipment and/or weapons, working conditions, etc.
4. Take the point of view of the church in ancient Rome in banning the theaters and defend your actions.
5. Create three posters of different events or shows that took place at the Coliseum.
6. Compare the twelve original Greek gods with their Roman counterparts.

Marianne Philipp, Teacher, and Aleksandr Prodan, AP student, collaborated to develop this web hunt.

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