Dear M.R. Friends,
We know very little about theatre and performance during the
latter period of the Roman Empire, and even less about the so
called "Dark Ages". Various sources cite a few names and events,
but usually go no further than that.
I have compiled the following list of events and people
which I would like to investigate. Can anyone provide me with
sources for these items? Can anyone add to the list? I realize
that this is a lot to ask all at once, but I would be extremely
grateful for any help I can get.
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EDICTS OF THE CHURCH REGARDING ACTORS AND ACTING.
A.D.
300 Something (Synod? Council?) at Elvira.
3l4 Council of Aries.
34l-38l Laedicean Council.
397 Council of Carthage.
398 Fourth Council at Carthage.
397 African Church decree.
St. John Chrysostom preached very strong sermons against the
theatre, as did Tertullien and Lactantius.
40l Fifth Council of Carthage.
452 Second Synod of Arras.
506 Council of Agde.
6l0 Council of Bishop of Bracara.
692 Councilman Trullanun at Constantinople.
7th Council of Isadore of Seville.
742 Synodus Francica.
747 Second Council of Cloveshow in Mercia.
787 Synod of Nicasa.
800-8l4 Charlemagne's laws.
8l3 Synod Turonensis (Tours). There were others this same year.
829 Coucilium Parisiense.
847 Councilius Moguntinum.
890 Councilius Manetenso.
Thus, civil and ecclesiastical authorities continually recognized
the existence of actors and performers by edict, but what were
these edicts? What can we learn from them about performance and
theatre at this time?
Many prominent churchmen defended theatre and performers. For
example:
St. Augustine loved the theatre in youth and defended it later in
his _City of God_ as an important medium of education. Does he
mention theatre elsewhere?
Choricius, (ca. 530 A.D.) made an important defense of actors.
This is the last positive mention of actors in the classical
period. What was his defense?
The Emperor Justinian, is said to have closed the theatres but
the Empress Theodora was a mime actress, rather complicating
things. The ambivalence towards Theatre and players is, perhaps
summed up by noting that the state (Byzantium), who still
regarded itself as heir to Rome (if not a continuation of Rome,
itself), considered support of the theatre as a part of state
functions, and included it in state festivals, replete with the
emperor, himself, giving the imperial blessing from the royal
box. The Church seems to have made some accommodation, here, but
what was it?
Are there other Church-men (-women?) who should be added to this
list?
I am told that two divergent sects of Christianity are supposed
to have used drama and/or mime in their worship and were
excommunicated for it. Who were they? How did they use these
dramatic forms? What were the grounds for excommunication?
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Thank you very much,
C. Thomas Ault
Theatre Department
Indian University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pa. 15707, USA
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 412-357-2169
FAX: 412-357-7899
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