Nikon D7200, 12-24mm f/4G lens @12mm f/8, aperture priority. Edited for drama. |
"Performances were generally acted out in the middle of a festival, such as the Pythian Games at Delphi, in honor of a god or goddess. Ancient Greeks believed that the god was present through the entire duration of the festival. The god's idol was displayed within the theater by the god's priest, who sat in the seat of honor. The performance itself was not depicted as an act of free will, but rather as a religious duty. The theater was a sacred place, actors were sacred persons, performances were sacred acts, and shows were generally performed at a sacred time. The actors were to perform in state of purity, free from sexual intercourse and fasting before the main ceremony. Their attire consisted of a cloak that belonged to the sanctuary's treasury, a head wreath, and cosmic representations of figures such as animals, stars, or flowers. Aristotle stated that 'theatrical performance effects purification of those present.' Public members that took part in or attended the festival were believed to be taking part in divine worship; excluded from this religious festival were foreigners and women." — Francis Stankiwicz and Jessie Nevins, Coastal Carolina University, Delphi |
