Quote: (01-09-2017 05:44 PM)ivansirko Wrote:
Quote: (01-09-2017 11:38 AM)Teedub Wrote:
On the Rogan podcast, Jordan Peterson was saying how in ancient Greece/Rome, actors were seen as a similar thing to prostitutes - they provide entertainment and pleasure but why else would you seek their counsel? Hopefully we are genuinely witnessing their influence waning.
http://www.stgenesius.com/actorsrome.html
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In lifestyle Roman actors did not enjoy a good reputation and their morals challenged even the decadence of Roman society. Their performances could be lewd, highly sexual and offensive, even going as far as to appearing naked on stage and engaging in sexual acts. They could also be highly critical of the political status quo and so ran the gauntlet of emperor and senator. As expected, some emperors were as critical of them and took certain measures in an attempt to counteract their notoriety: Emperor Julian the Apostate forbade the pagan Roman priests from attending theatrical performances to avoid giving the performances respectability, and the more enlightened Emperor Tiberius would not allow people of the stage to have any contact with the upper classes. Far from being great dramas most Roman plays were whimsical, more mimes and pantomimes; the classics we know and respect were in the minority.
I didnt know that was the case. Its possible this was a reaction to the content of Theater at the time.
Yes, and many cases acting was assumed to be a mental illness, anybody pretending to be somebody else in front of others was assumed to be mad in the head.
Unlike singing, which has always been appreciated by humans, acting did not serve any valuable purpose to a nation. Imagine living in times of war without modern medicine, and lucky to not die before turning 20 and and someone telling you they want to pretend to be somebody else as a profession.
Fun thing, in the game Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood you have to kill some ancient Greek actors in the coliseum.