Ep.06 - O Teatro no #Império #Romano (História do Teatro com Téspis)

Taís Luna

4 Jul 201808:17

Summary

TLDRThis video script explores the impact of the Roman Empire's conquest of ancient Greece on theater history. It discusses the transformation of Greek theater into Roman spectacles, including the introduction of 'bread and circuses' to appease the masses. The script also touches on the influence of Roman culture on Greek deities and theater, the role of comedy in Roman theater, and the construction of amphitheaters like the Colosseum. It concludes by drawing parallels between ancient Rome's tactics to maintain social order and modern society's distractions.

Takeaways

🎭 The script discusses the impact of the Roman Empire's conquest of ancient Greece on theater.
🏟️ Roman theater adopted Greek theatrical traditions but with modifications to suit Roman tastes and societal structure.
🍞 The term 'bread and circuses' (panem et circenses) is explained, highlighting how the Roman Empire used food and entertainment to maintain social control.
👑 Roman authorities were not fond of theater as a medium for political commentary, favoring comedies with superficial themes.
🎭 Roman playwrights like Plautus and Terence were influenced by Greek playwright Menander.
🏛️ The Colosseum in Rome is mentioned as a significant architectural achievement, capable of housing up to 90,000 spectators for non-artistic spectacles.
🤼‍♂️ The script describes the brutal nature of Roman entertainment, including gladiatorial games and other violent spectacles.
🌐 The influence of Greek culture on Western civilization is acknowledged, noting the flourishing of knowledge in areas like physics, mathematics, and medicine.
📚 The script suggests a comparison between ancient Rome's methods of social control and modern societal incentives like bonuses and leisure activities.
👶 The birth of Jesus Christ is mentioned as a pivotal historical event that divided history and will be further explored in subsequent videos.

Q & A

Who is Téspis mentioned in the script?
-Téspis is referred to as the first actor in the world, setting the stage for discussing the history of theater.
What significant event happened around 146 BCE according to the script?
-The Roman Empire conquered ancient Greece, which had a profound impact on the course of theater history.
How did the Roman Empire's approach to culture differ from that of ancient Greece?
-The Roman Empire was more focused on military conquest and did not have the same interest in high culture as the Greeks, instead aiming to assimilate the conquered peoples into their own culture.
What is 'panem et circenses' referred to in the script?
-'Panem et circenses' translates to 'bread and circuses', a term used to describe the Roman strategy of distracting the populace with food and entertainment to maintain control.
Which two playwrights were prominent in Roman comedy according to the script?
-Plautus and Terence were the main authors of Roman comedy, drawing inspiration from the Greek playwright Menander.
What was the role of theater in Roman society as described in the script?
-Theater in Roman society was more about entertainment and less about political commentary, with comedy being encouraged over serious drama.
What is the significance of the Colosseum in Roman theater history?
-The Colosseum was a famous amphitheater that could hold up to 90,000 spectators, but it was more known for gladiatorial games and spectacles rather than theatrical performances.
How did the Roman Empire use theater and spectacles to maintain control?
-The Roman Empire used theater and spectacles as a means to distract the populace, providing them with food and entertainment to divert their attention from political matters.
What is the script's mention of Jesus Christ in relation to theater history?
-The script implies that the birth of Jesus Christ marked a turning point in history, which will be discussed further in subsequent videos.
What is the comparison made between ancient Rome's 'bread and circuses' and modern society in the script?
-The script draws a parallel between the Roman practice of providing basic needs and entertainment to the populace and modern companies providing benefits and amenities to their employees to maintain loyalty and distract from other issues.
What is the call to action for viewers at the end of the script?
-The script encourages viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe to the channel, and to follow on social media to help spread the content to interested individuals.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Roman Conquest and Theater in Ancient Greece

This paragraph discusses the impact of the Roman Empire's conquest of Ancient Greece on the evolution of theater. It highlights the cultural significance of theater in Greek society, paralleling its importance to fields like physics and medicine. The speaker, adopting the persona of the Roman Empire, explains how Rome absorbed Greek theater into its own culture, including the syncretism of Greek and Roman gods. Despite this, Roman authorities were not particularly fond of theater, leading to performances being held in temporary wooden stages away from the public eye. The paragraph also touches on the rise of comedy in Roman theater, with playwrights like Plautus and Terence drawing inspiration from Greek sources. The construction of amphitheaters, such as the Colosseum, is mentioned, emphasizing their use for 'bread and circuses' rather than high art, reflecting the Roman Empire's strategy to maintain control through entertainment and satiation of the masses.

05:03

🍞 Bread and Circuses: The Roman Empire's Social Control

The second paragraph delves into the concept of 'bread and circuses,' a strategy used by the Roman Empire to maintain social order and control over its conquered peoples. By providing basic necessities like food and entertainment, the empire aimed to distract and appease the populace, preventing unrest and dissent. The paragraph describes the low-quality entertainment provided in arenas, including gladiatorial games and chariot races, which served to satiate the masses' desires while instilling fear and awe. The speaker draws parallels between these ancient practices and modern societal incentives, such as bonuses and perks, suggesting that they serve a similar purpose in contemporary times. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with the content, like, comment, share, and subscribe to the channel, emphasizing the importance of community support in valuing the creators' work.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Téspis

Téspis is considered the first actor in the world according to the script. He is a key figure in the history of theater, as he is credited with adding the element of acting to the performances that were previously just choral. In the context of the video, Téspis represents the beginning of theatrical evolution, setting the stage for the discussion on how theater developed through the conquests of the Roman Empire.

💡Theater in Ancient Greece

The script mentions that theater was fundamental to Ancient Greek society, as important as physics, mathematics, and medicine. It was a significant part of their high-quality cultural production. The video's theme revolves around the impact of the Roman Empire on this cultural institution, illustrating the continuity and transformation of theater from Greece to Rome.

💡Roman Empire

The Roman Empire is highlighted in the script as a military power that conquered different peoples, including Ancient Greece. The video discusses how the Roman Empire's approach to governance and culture led to the appropriation of Greek theater, marking a significant shift in the history of theater. The Roman Empire's influence is central to understanding the changes in theatrical practices discussed in the video.

💡Pantomime

Pantomime is referred to in the script as a form of entertainment that was part of the Roman theater, involving actors who would perform without speaking, using only their body movements to tell a story. It is an example of how the Roman theater differed from the Greek, focusing more on physical performance and spectacle rather than dialogue and depth of plot.

💡Bread and Circuses

The phrase 'bread and circuses' is used in the script to describe the Roman strategy of keeping the populace satisfied with basic needs and entertainment to prevent unrest and maintain control. This concept is central to the video's discussion on how the Roman Empire used theater and spectacle not as an art form but as a tool for social control.

💡Plautus and Terence

Plautus and Terence are mentioned as the main authors of Roman comedy. They adapted Greek comedies for Roman audiences, often focusing on everyday life and avoiding politically sensitive topics. Their work exemplifies the shift in comedic themes from the Greek to the Roman theater and is used in the video to illustrate the changes in theatrical content under Roman rule.

💡Colosseum

The Colosseum is noted as the most famous amphitheater in the script, capable of housing up to 90,000 spectators. It symbolizes the scale and grandeur of Roman entertainment venues, which were not only for theatrical performances but also for gladiatorial games and other spectacles. The Colosseum is used in the video to contrast the different purposes of Roman venues compared to their Greek counterparts.

💡Circus Maximus

Circus Maximus is briefly mentioned in the script as another significant venue for Roman spectacles. It was primarily used for chariot races and other public games. The mention of Circus Maximus in the video underscores the importance of public entertainment in Roman society and how it differed from the more culturally and intellectually focused Greek theater.

💡Jesus Christ

The script refers to the birth of Jesus Christ as a pivotal historical event that divided history and had a profound impact on the Roman Empire and the world at large. While not directly related to theater, the mention of Jesus Christ in the video serves as a bookend to the discussion on the Roman theater, indicating a shift in historical and cultural focus.

💡Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation is implied in the script's discussion of how the Roman Empire took over Greek theater and adapted it to their own ends. The Romans did not just conquer territories but also assimilated and transformed the cultural practices of the conquered peoples, including theater. This concept is crucial for understanding the video's narrative on the evolution of theater under Roman influence.

💡Anfiteatro

Anfiteatro, meaning amphitheater in English, is used in the script to describe the type of venues where Roman spectacles took place. The term is significant as it highlights the architectural innovations of the Romans for public entertainment, which were different from the theaters of Ancient Greece and served a different social function in the Roman Empire.

Highlights

Introduction to the history of theater and its evolution under Roman rule.

The impact of the Roman Empire's conquest of Ancient Greece on theater.

The Roman Empire's assimilation of Greek theater and culture.

The transformation of theater from a respected art form to a form of entertainment.

The rise of pantomime and the decline of complex theatrical performances.

The construction of Roman theaters and amphitheaters, including the famous Colosseum.

The role of 'bread and circuses' in Roman society to maintain control and order.

The shift from intellectual and imaginative theater to more superficial and easily digestible performances.

The influence of Greek comedy on Roman theater, with key authors like Plautus and Terence.

The Roman preference for comedies over tragedies and political plays.

The use of theater as a tool for political propaganda and social control.

The comparison between Roman entertainment and modern societal distractions.

The introduction of Jesus Christ and the subsequent division of history in the narrative.

The call to action for viewers to engage with the content by liking, commenting, and subscribing.

The importance of viewer interaction in valuing and promoting the work of the channel.

The anticipation of future videos that will continue the historical narrative.