1

Stage 5 Culture Notes

cavea

scaena scaena frōns

orchēstraSeating area

Reserved

seats for

important

officials

Stage Building behind the stage that was

decorated with columns and niches

2

Plays were performed during festivals.

2 Theaters in Pompeii

Large Theater – could accommodate up to

5,000 people

Small Theater � Odeon

3

Large Theater

Small Theater

4

Actors

• Slaves (Greek) and freedmen (former

slaves)

• Recognized characters by masks and wigs

Some common characters

• Red wigs / clothing � slaves

• White wigs � old men

5

• In Rome, the 1st

permanent theater was built in 55 BC by

Pompey the Great.

* Julius Caesar was

assassinated at the theater of

Pompey on the Ides of March

(March 15th), 44 BC