Publication Date
2026
College
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Anthropology
Document Type
Poster
Description
In this poster the topic of how Ancient Greek ritualistic theater was changed to fit the bloody and politically inclined ideals of Ancient Rome was discussed. It explores different theoretical frameworks such as the Ritual Theory, the Spectacle and Power Theory, and the Performance Theory. It also uses many different methodologies including comparative archaeological analysis, textual analysis, and socio-political contextualization. Using these different methods the poster is able to explore how Rome used both their spectacles and their architecture to promote their idealization of war while Greece used their performances and architecture to honor their Gods, specifically Dionysus who was the God of theater. The poster specifically contrasts the changes in the architecture of theaters that reflect the changing ideals and the switch from comedic plays and tragedies that honor the Gods to violent games to promote the idea that being strong and winning is everything.