Greek Theater in Ancient Sicily

Explores the origins and development of ancient drama, especially comedy, on Sicily and its relationship to the political situation.

Kathryn G. Bosher (Author), Edith Hall (Edited by), Clemente Marconi (Edited by), LaDale Winling (Prepared for publication by)

9781108493871, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 January 2021

300 pages, 15 b/w illus. 2 maps
25.2 x 17.5 x 1.5 cm, 0.6 kg

Studies of ancient theater have traditionally taken Athens as their creative center. In this book, however, the lens is widened to examine the origins and development of ancient drama, and particularly comedy, within a Sicilian and southern Italian context. Each chapter explores a different category of theatrical evidence, from the literary (fragments of Epicharmus and cult traditions) to the artistic (phylax vases) and the archaeological (theater buildings). Kathryn G. Bosher argues that, unlike in classical Athens, the golden days of theatrical production on Sicily coincided with the rule of tyrants, rather than with democratic interludes. Moreover, this was not accidental, but plays and the theater were an integral part of the tyrants' propaganda system. The volume will appeal widely to classicists and to theater historians.

Introduction
1. Out of the shadows: Epicharmus and early performance in Syracuse
2. Cult and circumstance
3. Politics and propaganda
4. Taking theater home: images of comedy and tragedy on vases
5. Drama in public: stone theaters in the west
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG], History of art / art & design styles [AC]