What Did They Wear in Greek Theatre?

Greek Theatre|Theater

The ancient Greeks were renowned for their theatrical performances, and the costumes were an important part of the production. Ancient Greek theatre masks and costumes were designed to enhance the actor’s performance and help to bring out the characters’ emotions and intentions.

The primary material used for Greek theatre costumes was linen, wool or occasionally leather. The garments were often brightly colored with dyes made from plants or minerals, or sometimes even embroidered with gold thread. Men typically wore a tunic (chiton) that went down to their ankles, while women wore a longer version that went down to their feet. Both genders often wore a belt around their waist, which was made of leather or metal.

Over this they would wear a mantle (himation) that could be draped in various ways depending on the character they were playing.

Headgear

Actors in Greek theatre would often wear masks that partially covered their faces so as to help create a character’s persona and give them an exaggerated appearance. These masks were usually made of plaster or terracotta and were decorated with colorful paints and gilded eyes with eyelashes.

Males also wore wigs called perukes made from sheepskin or goatskin hair which had been dyed various shades of brown, black, and white. Wigs for female characters had long tresses of hair made from horsehair, wool or human hair.

Accessories

Greek actors often wore accessories such as jewelry, sandals, necklaces, bracelets, and headdresses to further enhance their costume. Jewelry was usually made from gold or silver but could also be crafted out of precious stones such as lapis lazuli and carnelian.

Conclusion

In conclusion we can see that Greek theatre costumes consisted primarily of garments like tunics and mantles along with masks and wigs for the actors portraying characters in plays. Accessories such as jewelry, sandals, necklaces, bracelets, and headdresses helped to further enhance the costume.

What Did They Wear in Greek Theatre?


The ancient Greeks typically wore tunics with mantles over them along with masks, wigs and accessories like jewelry when performing in theatres during Ancient Greece times. These costumes helped to bring out the emotions of each character while providing an exaggerated look on stage.