Arizona republican., 1914-11-08

The Greeks are also the inventors
of democratic government, and
Athens went through the history of
development to a democratic state. 4
In $50 B. c. there was a tyrant Psi
tratus (by tyrant the Greeks meant
one who had taken unto himself su-
preme authority without any righD
who is accredited with the establish
ing of the festivals where the drama
was first introduced
This Pisitratus was a very en-
lightened and high spirited man and
did much for Athens He was ban
ished several times, always return
ing and ii was his sons who We're
deposed and Greek democracy estab-
lished and we have that brilliant per-
iod in Greek history
Greece in these Hellenic DAYS
meant the world as known and peo-
pied by Greek people and not the
little peninsula we now think of as
Greece. Greek cities dotted every
bay and inlet in Africa, Asia ana
Europe.
About the time 495 B. c., Aischy-
lus, one of the best and earliest
writer's of drama began to write, the
lonian cities began to throw off the
yoke of oppression and declare them
selves free cities.
Persia put down the revolt, al
though Greece had come with BRAY
cry and holiness to their rescue.
The king of Persia decided to leave
Europe and go against these Athen-
ians. The first invasion was unsuc-
cessful and the fleet destroyed by
storm. The second expedition of
one hundred thousand Persians land
ed at Marathon, the Athenians rails
ed ten thousand and Euretea one
thousand men. They made a mile
run and advanced on the Persian
pressed by their center and slew
thousands. Here a handful of. free
Persians, pressed into service BY
scourge. (What a wonderful inspira-
ton for pOets).
The Persian king decided not to be
outdone and ten years later 4S0 T.
{. sent out another expedition. They
came down from the north, taking
all in their way, the Spartans delay
ing them at Thermopulus, but on
they came and destroyed Athens.
Later a mere handful of Greeks ov-
ercame them and Greece was safe.
Now began that brilliant fifty years.
! With energy and vigor Athens was
rebuilt with huge handsome build
ings some of which still stand b.
q strong massive wall and a strong
fleet the city was safe guarded. and
Athens became the great powerful
nation. This was the age of litera
ture and scientific advance and cul-
ture. Mems religious sense quicken
ed in these stirring times of national
crises and peril. It was bit of
Greek history to understand their
stirring poems and their effect on
the audiences when presented as
dramas. Aeschylus was greatly in
fluenced by these wars and their
wonderful heros. He produced nine
ty dramas all more or less, based on
the themes furnished by them. Trag-
edy was the essential note-for with
the witnessing of tragedy comes che
deep feelings of the inevitable and
the nobility of purpose so satisfying
to spectators. The poet wrote in
narrative verse-and a leader or ac
tor would begin by narrating some
lyric Verse-while the chorus would
interpret it by dancing and move
ments to show its meaning. Their.
was intense emotional enthusiasm
I expressed in their songs and dance
Thus we have the beginning OF
drama without any action, simply
narrative verse.
The actor-no fine makeup ha,
! he-but merely a stuffing or paddinl
I to add to his statue and dignity.
! The chorus consisted of fifty peo-
s pie, dressed as nymphs to represen
5 streams, woods and the life of every
thing. Then there were satyrs-
: coarse, sensual Characterization
; half man, half goat or horse, whic!
I represents the low or animal side o
life.
This chorus was essential with tn
) Greeks-for theirs was chor'l
/ uldlud but II ndllPtItu Tire pot
{ greatly, this tremendous body of PEG
{ I pie to transport, so their drama de
I manded unity of time and place t
a great extent. There was little o
I no scenery and no stage effects, BIZ
5 these were cultured, aesthetic people
5 so the entrance of this chorus mus
5 needs be in some dignified mannel
s usually it entered in chariOts, an!
: formed in circle around an alta
I erected to the gods Interpreting TIL
I verses the actor or narrator read
! The action progressed mentally witn
5 out any real doing, and the singinl
of the chorus sufficed for any chang
of place or lapse of time the poe
wished to express.
! No acts of violence ever occurre
on this ancient stage, but the ac
) counts of such were wildly relate
s. to the audience in verse and stron
I the prophesy of Cassandra when sh
I sees with super natural eyes the hor
I rible fate awaiting herself and Aga
! memnon-or in the fierce glory ely
! menestra takes in the bloody murde
$jof her husband the slayer of he
s child,
8 Character was delineated by speec
or relating of deeds not by actin
I There was no opportunity for sue
I with only one actor-though in som
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