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Topic Overview
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1.1 Drama and the Theatre in Ancient Athenian Society
role and significance of drama and the theatre in ancient Athenian society, including the religious context of the dramatic festivals l the organisation of the City Dionysia, including the make up and involvement of the audience l structure of the theatre space, and how this developed during the fifth and fourth centuries BC, including: machinery associated with the theatre: the crane and the wheel platform, and how they contributed to the staging of Greek drama l the representation in visual and material culture of theatrical and dramatic scenes
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Theatre of Dionysus at Athens Theatre of Thorikos, a coastal deme of Attica l red-figure vase fragment: single actor possibly playing Perseus and 2 audience members/ judges l red-figure calyx krater depicting Medea’s escape l red-figure bell krater by Schiller Painter, depicting scene with wine-skin & boots from Women at the Thesmophoria (Thesmophoriazusae)
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The following prescribed sources are covered in this topic:
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Key Individual
This topic examines the context in which drama was performed in ancient Athenian society, first looking at the religious festivals in honour of Dionysus where drama was presented. It will then explore theatre buildings, with all the accompanying adornments. Finally, it will examine what visual and material record we can rely on for evidence of how drama was performed.
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Don’t forget that you will be given credit in the exam if you study extra sources and make relevant use of them in your answers.
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Dionysus the Greek god of drama, wine and revelry
The Religious Context of the Dramatic Festivals The tradition of theatre in western civilisation was born in Athens during the second half of the sixth century BC, and this remains one of the ancient Greek world’s most
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