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Elizabethan Theatre
Elizabethan theatre, sometimes called English Renaissance theatre, refers to that style of performance plays which blossomed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603) and which continued under her Stuart successors. Elizabethan...
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Theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus
The theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus on the south slope of the acropolis of Athens was first built in the 6th century BCE. Modified and expanded over the centuries, it is the oldest Greek theatre and is the site where some of the most famous...
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Greek Theatre Architecture
The ancient Greeks built open-air theatres where the public could watch the performances of Greek comedy, tragedy, and satyr plays. They then exported the idea to their colonies throughout the Aegean so that theatres became a typical feature...
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Elizabethan Stage, the Swan Theatre
A sketch by Aernout van Buchel showing actors on the stage of the Swan theatre in 1596 CE in London, one of the principal theatres of Elizabethan theatre. (Utrecht University Library, Netherlands)
Definition
Ancient Greek Theatre
Greek theatre began in the 6th century BCE in Athens with the performance of tragedy plays at religious festivals. These, in turn, inspired the genre of Greek comedy plays. The two types of Greek drama would be hugely popular and performances...
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Theatre of Delphi
The theatre of Delphi and the temple of Apollo below (4th century BCE). The capacity of the theatre was around 5,000 spectators.
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Theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus, Athens
The 4th century stone version of the Theatre of Dionysos Eleuthereus, on the slopes of the acropolis of Athens. The theatre was orginally constructed in the 6th century BCE.
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Theatre of Petra
Carved into the side of the mountain at the foot of the High Place of Sacrifice, the theatre of Petra consists of three rows of seats separated by passageways. Seven stairways ascended the cavea (seating section) which accommodated 4000 spectators...
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Roman Theatre Façade, Aosta
The 22 m high façade (scaena) of the Roman theatre at Aosta in northern Italy. The theatre was constructed in the 1st century CE and further extended in the 3rd century CE. The theatre had a capacity of 3-4,000 spectators.
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Dion Hellenistic Theatre, Greece
The Hellenistic Theatre at Dion in Macedon with Mount Olympus in the background. The theatre was built into a natural hill during the 3rd century BCE. It underwent several phases of modification during the reign of Philip V (r. 221-179 BCE...