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.

Dont forget to click on pictures as well as links. Theres 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. 2. 3. The Cavea (the Greek theatron, or seating area for audience) The orchestra 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.
2. 3.

What color mask did male characters have?

What color mask did female characters have? Describe the costumes of the following:

1.
2.
Click on the Greek Theater building for more information about Greek Theatre.

Rich man
Boy Soldier Poor man slave

3. 4. 5.

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.

Plautus

Terence

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

5. Give three examples of how Terences comedies differed from Plautuss.

Click on Terence to read more.

Romans cried
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.

6. What were Senecas tragedies copies of?

Copies?!?! Hint: Look at paragraphs 3-4 in particular.

7. What were Senecas tragedies best known for?

Find out here.

Romans played
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.

Click on each type to find out more information.

Pantomime and Mime Naumachiae Chariot Racing Gladiatorial Combat

Pantomime and Mime

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?

8. What did a pantomime resemble?

Click here for more information.

9. Give 5 characteristics of Roman mime. Find out here.

Back to Romans played

An interesting way to get rid of your criminals

Naumachiae (pronounced nomay-kee-ee) were actual naval battles to the death staged on lakes, artificial bodies of water, or in flooded arenas, such as the Colosseum.
10. Who was the first naumachiae for and what was the occasion?
Click on the picture to find out. Back to Romans played

Ancient Nascar
Romans held chariot races in buildings called hippodromes.
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. 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.

Back to Romans played

More Bloody Entertainment

Like 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.

In 2000, director Ridley Scotts 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.

14. How is a defeated gladiators fate determined? Read here about the specific gesture. 15. Where were gladiatorial battles held? Find out here.

Russell Crowe?
Winner of five Academy Awards
Best Picture Best Actor for Russell Crowe Best Visual Effects Best Costume Design Best Sound Best Supporting Actor for Joaquin Phoenix Best Director for Ridley Scott.

Nominated for

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. Wards 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.