What was the role of Theatre as an Athenian institution?

it an incredibly important part of society. It reflected the typical cultural norms and

values of the social, political and religious functions of the community. As B. Knox

argued the ‘theatre […] expressed so clearly and directly the mood and mind of the

whole [Athenian] community’, representing and relating to the audiences everyday

The Athenian Theatre was closely linked to the political activities and actions

of the community. The Bema, which held the political assembly, had many

similarities to the theatre. Both these building were normally situated near to each

other within the community and were of the same shape and size. They both had

central circular stages where the speeches/ performances were carried out, and the

audiences were elevated above the stage. These similarities between the two

structures gave the theatre the same status as the political assembly. This would

therefore give the audiences watching Athenian plays a sense of identity to their

everyday lives. The situations and activities the Bema would deal with would then be

performed to the public in the theat

Some topics in this essay:
Athenian Theatre, Athens Goldhill, Ancient Greek, Ancient Athens, Century Athenian, Dionysia Athenian, theatre social, athenian theatre, political assembly, social institution, , athenian theatre social, everyday lives, norms values, plays performed, athenian community, people athens, sense identity, theatre social institution,