The Greeks

GREEK CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE

GREEKSAncient Greek ideas about art, architecture, drama, philosophy, and government greatly influenced Western Civilization.Among the most influential of Greek cultural achievements is the Parthenon in Athens, an outstanding example of classical architecture.

GREEKSGreek dramas set

structural and thematic styles emulated by great Western playwrights such as William Shakespeare.

Athens dominated the Greek city-states in the 5th century B. C. Rival Sparta led the smaller Spartan Confederacy. The two sides fought in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B. C.), and Athens lost, leaving it temporarily weakened.

MUSIC AND DANCE – POPULAR GREEK ACTIVITIES

Theater of Epidauros

The Greek Theater 5th Century B. C.Golden Age of Greek DramaDramatic festivals were popularPeople witnessed tragic and comic plays

Theater of DionysusDionysia was an annual festival in honor of the god DionysusTheater of Dionysus was an open-air Theater with room for fifteen thousand spectators

Theater of Dionysus

Theater of Dionysuscarved out of a stone hillside looked like a semicircle with steeply rising tiers of seats

Theater of DionysusAt the bottom was the rounded orchestra or performance area where the chorus sang and danced

Theater of DionysusBehind the orchestra was an open, almost bare, stage where actors spoke their lines from behind huge masks

Theater of DionysusMale actors performed all the rolesActors switched masks to play a number of roles – both female and male