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skene
Skene behind the stage of the Roman-era (1st century) South Theatre, Jerash, Jordan.
skene
ancient Greek theater
- Related Topics:
- ancient Greek civilization
- theatre
- scenery
skene, (from Greek skēnē, “scene-building”), in ancient Greek theatre, a building behind the playing area that was originally a hut for the changing of masks and costumes but eventually became the background before which the drama was enacted. First used c. 465 bc, the skene was originally a small wooden structure facing the circle of spectators. It developed into a two-story edifice decorated with columns, with three doors used for entrances and exits and the appearance of ghosts and gods; it was flanked by wings (paraskēnia). By the end of the 5th century bc, the wooden skene was replaced by ...(100 of 146 words)