A Skene was an important structure in ancient Greek theatre. It was a large, roofed building that served as the backdrop for theatrical performances.
It was usually constructed out of timber, stone, or brick and could be up to three stories high. The Skene served a variety of purposes for the ancient Greek theatre: it provided a backdrop for the actors to perform in front of, it hid the audience from view, it acted as a storage area for props and costumes and it also provided dressing rooms for actors to prepare before performances.
The Skene would typically be positioned at one end of the theatre’s orchestra or stage area and decorated with images of trees, plants and other items relevant to the performance. Inside there was often an altar dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre. In some cases, there were even two Skenes – one at each end of the orchesta – that were connected by a walkway called a parodos.
The shape of the Skene could vary depending on its purpose; while most were rectangular in shape, others were semi-circular or had additional features such as balconies or columns. In some cases, there might even be statues or reliefs carved into its walls.
At times during performances – such as when deities appeared on stage – actors would emerge from behind the Skene after descending from above via a special bridge called an ekkyklema. This device allowed gods to ‘descend’ from Olympus onto the stage below and interact with human characters during performances.
The term ‘Skene’ is derived from its use in Greek theatre; however, it has since been adopted by other cultures into their own theatrical traditions. For instance, in medieval England skenes were used for staging plays in churches or town halls whereas Elizabethan theatres featured permanent galleries known as ‘skens’.
In summary, a Skene was an essential part of ancient Greek theatre which served many practical purposes while also providing opportunities for dramatic effects during performances. Its influence can still be seen today through its adoption into various theatrical traditions throughout history.
Conclusion: What Was a Skene in Greek Theatre? The Skene was an integral part of ancient Greek theatre which served numerous practical functions while also providing opportunities for dramatic effects during performances.