Literature and Drama:
Greek Plays
The Greeks had started Western theater between 600 and 200 BCE in Athens. Some of the techniques that they had created are still being used today, even some of the plays they created are still considered some of the greatest dramas in the world. The theater was a way to release emotions. The theater, in that time, was also considered to be a religious ceremony.
A cult known as The Cult of Dionysus had rites that were much different from the Traditional ones. Traditional Rites would celebrate Gods and Goddesses within temples, but the cult would celebrate the God Dionysus in the woods. It's said that the God loved people, dance, and wine; his festivals were like big parties. The cult also had many different ritual aspects. Some of the rituals the cult participated are alcoholic intoxication, orgies, and sometime human and animal sacrifice. Some other rituals that were controversial were that they danced and showed emotional displays that altered emotional states known as ecstasis, from which the word ecstasy derived from. This was way that the emotions could be released. By the time of 600 BCE the traditions and ceremonies became mainstream and annually celebrated spring. In Athens, the Rites of Dionysus evolved into what is known of theater today. Since Athens was located in a region known as Attica, Greek and Athenian theater is sometimes referred to as Attica Theater.
After theater had become popular, some started making a chorus and music for the dramas in 600 BCE
In 543 BCE the ruler of Athens changed Dionysus festivals into Drama Competitions which became very popular within the next 50 years of that time.
A cult known as The Cult of Dionysus had rites that were much different from the Traditional ones. Traditional Rites would celebrate Gods and Goddesses within temples, but the cult would celebrate the God Dionysus in the woods. It's said that the God loved people, dance, and wine; his festivals were like big parties. The cult also had many different ritual aspects. Some of the rituals the cult participated are alcoholic intoxication, orgies, and sometime human and animal sacrifice. Some other rituals that were controversial were that they danced and showed emotional displays that altered emotional states known as ecstasis, from which the word ecstasy derived from. This was way that the emotions could be released. By the time of 600 BCE the traditions and ceremonies became mainstream and annually celebrated spring. In Athens, the Rites of Dionysus evolved into what is known of theater today. Since Athens was located in a region known as Attica, Greek and Athenian theater is sometimes referred to as Attica Theater.
After theater had become popular, some started making a chorus and music for the dramas in 600 BCE
In 543 BCE the ruler of Athens changed Dionysus festivals into Drama Competitions which became very popular within the next 50 years of that time.
http://anarchon.tripod.com/indexGREEKTH.html
http://www.netplaces.com/classical-mythology/partying-with-dionysus/the-rites-of-dionysus.htm
http://www.netplaces.com/classical-mythology/partying-with-dionysus/the-rites-of-dionysus.htm
Jada Black