periaktos

periaktos

▪ ancient theatrical device
(Greek: “revolving”),plural  Periaktoi,  

      ancient theatrical device by which a scene or change of scene was indicated. It was described by Vitruvius in his De architectura (c. 14 BC) as a revolving triangular prism made of wood, bearing on each of its three sides a different pictured scene. While one scene was presented to the audience, the other two could be changed. Although it was once thought to be a feature of Greek classical drama, it is now believed that it did not originate until the Hellenistic age. The periaktos was revived, notably for the Italian theatre in about 1500 and for the 17th-century English stage.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Periaktos — (plural form Periaktoi, from Greek revolving ) is a device used for displaying and rapidly changing theatre scenes. It has been first mentioned in Vitruvius book on architecture, De architectura (ca. 14 BC) but its most intense use began in… …   Wikipedia

  • Periaktos — (gr. Ant.), Drehmaschine auf dem Theater, durch welche die Veränderung der Decoration der Bühne bewirkt wurde …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • periaktos — peri·ak·tos …   English syllables

  • periaktos — …   Useful english dictionary

  • theatre — /thee euh teuhr, theeeu /, n. theater. * * * I Building or space in which performances are given before an audience. It contains an auditorium and stage. In ancient Greece, where Western theatre began (5th century BC), theatres were constructed… …   Universalium

  • periact — periáct s. n., pl. periácte Trimis de siveco, 10.08.2004. Sursa: Dicţionar ortografic  PERIÁCT s.n. 1. Balistă mobilă. 2. Maşină care permitea schimbarea decorurilor în teatrul antic grec. [pron. ri act. / < fr. périacte, gr. periaktos] …   Dicționar Român

  • Katablēma — (gr.), 1) Grundlage: 2) Vorhang, Vorzug; daher 3) im Theater ein Tuch od. Bret an der Drehmaschine (Periaktos, s.d.) …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • stage machinery — Devices designed for the production of theatrical effects, including rapid scene changes, lighting, sound effects, and illusions. Such devices have been in use since the 5th century BC, when the Greeks developed a crane to lower to the stage an… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”