Performing arts Roman Empire
in roman tradition, borrowed greeks, literary theatre performed all-male troupes used face masks exaggerated facial expressions allowed audiences see how character feeling. such masks specific particular role, , actor play multiple roles merely switching masks. female roles played men in drag (travesti). roman literary theatre tradition particularly represented in latin literature tragedies of seneca. circumstances under seneca s tragedies performed unclear; scholarly conjectures range minimally staged readings full production pageants. more popular literary theatre genre-defying mimus theatre, featured scripted scenarios free improvisation, risqué language , jokes, sex scenes, action sequences, , political satire, along dance numbers, juggling, acrobatics, tightrope walking, striptease, , dancing bears. unlike literary theatre, mimus played without masks, , encouraged stylistic realism in acting. female roles performed women, not men. mimus related genre called pantomimus, form of s...