When in Rome, do as the Romans do…

Roman Theatre WebQuest

by Jennefer Franklin

Objective• In this WebQuest, you will learn about

Roman Theatre… what they did and how they did it.

• Make sure to write the notes from the slides in addition to writing the questions. Also, as you read from the web pages, take down any notes that feel important to your group.

• Feel free to take your time and talk about the different styles and forms with your group and write down your findings and opinions on such topics.

•Don’t forget to click on pictures as well as links. There’s lots of information for you to find!

Romans conquered…

Click on the map to read about the history of the Roman Empire.

Romans built…To make theatre available to large numbers of people, the Romans build many impressive theatres

throughout the empire. They redesigned the Greek amphitheater, though they kept similar features:

1. The Cavea (the Greek theatron, or seating area for audience)

2. The orchestra

3. The Scaena (The Greek Skene, or scene house) Costumes and masks were worn to allow the audience to follow along. Click on the Roman theater and answer these questions:

1. What color mask did male characters have?

2. What color mask did female characters have?

3. Describe the costumes of the following:

1. Rich man

2. Boy

3. Soldier

4. Poor man

5. slave

Click on the Greek Theater building for more information about Greek Theatre.

Romans laughed…Roman playwrights took Greek New Comedy

and perfected their own brand of comedy, which became immensely popular with the masses. They:

1. eliminated the chorus, 2. added music and 3. put a greater emphasis on eavesdropping

which led to frequent misunderstandings and complications.

These comedies influenced Shakespeare and modern day sitcoms.

4. What is the play written by Plautus that Shakespeare based The Comedy of Errors on?

Click on Plautus to find out.

Plautus Terence

5. Give three examples of how Terence’s comedies differed from Plautus’s.

Click on Terence to read more.

Romans cried…

• 6. What were Seneca’s tragedies copies of?– Copies?!?! Hint: Look at paragraphs 3-4 in particular.

• 7. What were Seneca’s tragedies best known for?– Find out here.

Roman tragedy was written after the first century B.C.E. and was not meant for large public performances. Roman society was far more interested in spectacular entertainments. Although, there is a tragic

playwright worth noting: Seneca.

Romans played…

• Click on each type to find out more information.– Pantomime and Mime– Naumachiae– Chariot Racing– Gladiatorial Combat

Romans are not considered originators of great drama; however, they did develop a variety of popular entertainments which appeal to all levels of society. These are presentations often of a more basic nature than theatre based on a written text. At the same time, popular entertainments frequently have strong theatrical elements such as dancing, pantomime, costumes and impersonation.

Pantomime and Mime

8. What did a pantomime resemble?

• Click here for more information.

9. Give 5 characteristics of Roman mime.

• Find out here.

What we think about when we hear the word “mime” is not necessarily what it meant in Ancient Rome. Today, “Pantomime” and “Mime” are basically the same thing. How did these terms differ in Rome? The results may surprise you.

Click on the picture to find out more about it. Is it a mime or a pantomime?

Back to Romans played…Back to Romans played…

An interesting way to get rid of your criminals…

Naumachiae (pronounced “no-

may-kee-ee”) were actual naval battles to the death staged on lakes, artificial bodies of water, or in flooded arenas,

such as the Colosseum.

Back to Romans played…Back to Romans played…

10. Who was the first naumachiae for and what was the occasion?

Click on the picture to find out.

Ancient Nascar Romans held

chariot races in buildings called hippodromes.

Back to Romans played…Back to Romans played…

11. What is the most famous hippodrome called?

12. Why is it called a “circus”?

13. How did spectators keep track of the progress of the race? Find out the answers to 11 through 13

by clicking here.

One of the most famous scenes in movie history is from the 1959 film, “Ben Hur” starring Charleton Heston. Read more about the film here or check your local video store to watch the epic yourself.

More Bloody EntertainmentLike sporting events in many ancient

cultures, Roman gladiatorial combat originated as a religious event. These events were made even more popular by including exotic animals in the battles, such as elephants or tigers.

14. How is a defeated gladiator’s fate determined?

•Read here about the specific gesture.

15. Where were gladiatorial battles held?

•Find out here.

In 2000, director Ridley Scott’s Academy Award winning film Gladiator depicted a Roman general betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince, who then comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge.

Russell Crowe?• Winner of five Academy Awards

– Best Picture – Best Actor for Russell Crowe– Best Visual Effects – Best Costume Design – Best Sound

• Nominated for – Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin

Phoenix– Best Director for Ridley Scott.

• But how historically accurate is this film? Allen Ward from the University of Connecticut expresses his opinion of the film as “It was the best of films. It was the worst of films.” Read the whole essay here.

16. What is your opinion based on Mr. Ward’s essay? When is historical accuracy necessary and when can we, as artists, take creative liberties?

Anything else?

17-20. Tell me about four new things that you learned about throughout this WebQuest, but did not have a question over.