Ancient Greek Civilization | Theater and the Competition of Art (Lecture 17)

Lecture 17: In the fifth century, the confidence and assurance of Athenian society expressed itself in the cultural flowering of the Classical period. Imperial Athens became the home of a dramatic tradition that was relentless in its search for truth, in exploring and laying bare the soul of humanity on stage. Although they are structurally simple, these plays achieved a power to move audiences. That power is still evident today. Familiar as many of these plays seem to be, their roots lay in religious celebrations, and they remained part of an institution that bound the entire community together and connected it with the realm of the divine. Although Greek tragedy deals with bloodshed, murder, and passion within the family, these plays were watched by the entire city. It is a democratic art form that reinforces the egalitarian spirit of Athens.

Suggested Reading
Zeitlin, F. and Winkler, J., eds (1990) Nothing to Do with Dionysos? Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Lecture 18: https://www.bitchute.com/video/usMKXQf7TIgt/