Stage 5 Culture Notes

Reserved
seats for
important
officials

Seating area

orchstra

cavea

scaena

scaena frns

Stage

Building behind the stage that was

decorated with columns and niches

Plays were performed during festivals.

2 Theaters in Pompeii
Large Theater could accommodate up to
5,000 people
Small Theater
Odeon

Large Theater

Small Theater

Actors
Slaves (Greek) and freedmen (former
slaves)
Recognized characters by masks and wigs

Some common characters

Red wigs / clothing  slaves
White wigs  old men

 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