LIVING THEATRE IN THE ANCIENT ROMAN HOUSE : theatricalism in the domestic sphere

For the Romans, much of life was seen, expressed and experienced as a form of theatre. In their homes, patrons performed the lead, with a supporting cast of residents and visitors. This sumptuously illustrated book, the result of extensive interdisciplinary research, is the first to investigate, describe and show how ancient Roman houses and villas, in their décor, spaces, activities and function, could constitute highly-theatricalised environments, indeed, a sort of 'living theatre'. Their layout, purpose and use reflected and informed a culture in which theatre was both a major medium of entertainment and communication and an art form drawing upon myths exploring the core values and beliefs of society. For elite Romans, their homes, as veritable stage-sets, served as visible and tangible expressions of their owners' prestige, importance and achievements. The Roman home was a carefully crafted realm in which patrons displayed themselves, while 'stage-managing' the behaviour and responses of visitor-spectators. For the Romans, much of life was seen, expressed and experienced as a form of theatre. In their homes, patrons performed the lead, with a supporting cast of residents and visitors. This sumptuously illustrated book, the result of extensive interdisciplinary research, is the first to explore, describe and illustrate how ancient Roman houses and villas, in their décor, spaces, activities and function, were highly-theatricalised environments, indeed, a sort of 'living theatre'. Their layout, purpose, and use reflected and informed a culture in which theatre was both a major medium of entertainment and communication, and an art form drawing upon myths expressing the core values and beliefs of ancient society. For elite Romans, their homes – as veritable stage-sets – served as a major visible and tangible expression of their prestige, importance, and achievement. The Roman home was a carefully crafted realm in which to display themselves, while 'stage-managing' the behaviour and responses of visitor-spectators. For the Romans, much of life was seen, expressed and experienced as a form of theatre. In their homes, patrons performed the lead, with a supporting cast of residents and visitors. This sumptuously illustrated book, the result of extensive interdisciplinary research, is the first to explore, describe and illustrate how ancient Roman houses and villas, in their decor, spaces, activities and function, were highly-theatricalised environments, indeed, a sort of 'living theatre'. Their layout, purpose, and use reflected and informed a culture in which theatre was both a major medium of entertainment and communication, and an art form drawing upon myths expressing the core values and beliefs of ancient society. For elite Romans, their homes - as veritable stage-sets - served as a major visible and tangible expression of their prestige, importance, and achievement. The Roman home was a carefully crafted realm in which to display themselves, while 'stage-managing' the behaviour and responses of visitor-spectators "This sumptuously illustrated book, the result of extensive interdisciplinary research, is the first to explore, describe and illustrate how ancient Roman houses and villas, in their décor, spaces, activities and function, were highly-theatricalised environments, indeed, a sort of 'living theatre'. Their layout, purpose, and use reflected and informed a culture in which theatre was both a major medium of entertainment and communication, and an art form drawing upon myths expressing the core values and beliefs of ancient society. For elite Romans, their homes - as veritable stage-sets - served as a major visible and tangible expression of their prestige, importance, and achievement. The Roman home was a carefully crafted realm in which to display themselves, while 'stage-managing' the behaviour and responses of visitor-spectators"-- Provided by publisher Roman Theatricality and Theatricalism -- Theatrical Life at Pompeii -- Performance at Pompeii and the Range of Roman Theatrical Entertainments -- Politics and Patronage at Pompeii -- Theatricalism and the Roman House -- Skenographia : Theatricality and Theatricalism in Second Style Frescoes -- Skenographia at Boscoreale, Oplontis and Pompeii -- Skenographia on the Palatine and at Pompeii -- Fourth Style Skenographia -- Triclinium Theatricality The book will appeal to readers interested in Graeco-Roman visual-culture, life in Rome and Pompeii, and the use of 3-D visualisation to explore cultural heritage. Richly illustrated, it is the first major study exploring the crucial importance of theatre in ancient domestic practice, décor and architecture.