Essay, Research Paper: The Roman Theaters

The Roman Theaters had originated in 240 B.C for celebrations when public athletic games, and events were held. These celebrations would portray comedy and tragedy through music, dancing and acting. Most of the acting, and dancing prophesized events or would honor the gods. However, dancing was not as highly thought of, as it was difficult to portray a battle scene through dancing.
In Rome, there were several large theaters for the performance of plays. The theater was a very important part of roman life. Theater was a way to keep people busy, and happy so that they would not plot against the government. Many of the idea used in roman plays were copied from the Greeks after Rome took them over. Many of the Roman theaters were built with semi-circular tiered seating (so that sound would be projected better, and it was easier to see the actors), and without a roof to that the sun would provide all the light needed for a play. Some famous theaters included the one located in the Rhone valley, the ancient theater of orange which has a 103-meter long fa ade, is the best preserved of all the roman theaters today. Another famous roman theater is the one located in Arles, which was a large amphitheater, which held about 26,000 people.
To show the type of person on the stage, costumes and masks were worn. The actors wore masks, brown for men, white for women, either smiling or frowning, depending on the type of play it was. The costumes could also show the audience what type of person the actor was, for instance rich men would wear a purple gown, boys would wear a striped toga, soldiers a short cloak, and a red toga would portray a poor man. Since women were not allowed to act, men or young boys wearing a white mask instead would play their parts.
Even though the actors spoke the lines, a second actor would mime the gestures to fit the lines. This was done so that the people in the far reaches of the theater could understand what was going on.