Bilkent University, Program in Cultures, Civilizations & Ideas will be hosting a talk by:
Dr. Mali Skotheim, NEH Fellow, American Research Institute in Turkey
Date: Monday, April 14th, 2019
Time: 18:00
Location: G-160 Seminar Room
Title:
The Greek Dramatic Festivals in Roman Asia Minor
Description:
Greek drama originated at the Dionysia in Athens in the late 6th century BCE, but spread widely across the Greek-speaking world during the 4th century BCE. In the 3rd century BCE, new associations of musicians, poets, and actors, the Technitai of Dionysus, formed, and quickly became a powerful force at the festivals, negotiating with cities and rulers in the interests of their members. Performers, benefactors, spectators, and the buyers and sellers who crowded festival markets all had something to gain from their participation in these cultural events. This talk concerns the history of the Greek dramatic festivals in Roman Asia Minor, from the second century BCE through the collapse of the festivals in Late Antiquity, exploring the long-lived vitality of the festivals in Asia Minor, the unique evidence that comes from this region, and the social, economic, and political forces which shaped the institutions which supported the performance of drama for so many hundreds of years.
Mali Skotheim completed her PhD at Princeton University in 2016, with a dissertation titled, “The Greek Dramatic Festivals under the Roman Empire.” She is currently preparing a book manuscript on the topic, covering the history of Greek dramatic performance in the Roman era, from 200 BCE to 517 CE. Her research has been generously supported by the American Academy in Rome, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and currently by a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities at the American Research Institute in Turkey. Her next book project is on ancient pantomime dance from its origins in the first century BCE through its afterlife in 18th century ballet.
All are Welcome. Light refreshments will be served before the talk.