A Social and Economic History of the Theatre to 300 BC

Offers the first comprehensive presentation and analysis of all the evidence for theatre outside Athens during the period c.500–300 BC.

The first comprehensive historical study of the process by which the ancient theatre became a panhellenic and international cultural institution. Fully presents all relevant evidence, offering critical texts with translation, discussion of all important documents, and illustrations and commentary for the important material evidence.This is the second volume of A Social and Economic History of the Theatre to 300 BC and focuses exclusively on theatre culture in Attica (Rural Dionysia) and the rest of the Greek world. It presents and discusses in detail all the documentary and material evidence for theatre culture and dramatic production from the first two centuries of theatre history, namely the period c.500 to c.300 BC. The traditional assumption is laid to rest that theatre was an exclusively or primarily Athenian institution, with the inclusion of all sources of information for theatrical performances in twenty-two deme sites and over one hundred and twenty independent Greek (and some non-Greek) cities. All texts are translated and made accessible to non-specialists and specialists alike. The volume will be a fundamental work of reference for all classicists and theatre historians interested in ancient theatre and its wider historical contexts.