June 12th - June 15th, 2025, Mainz
Our third archeo-philological conference focuses on the darker side of human existence, alas all too present in our own times: violence and aggression. Exactly because they are ubiquitous phenomena it is necessary to explore earlier cultural phases and their perception of and practice of using and restraining violence. In this regard Ancient Theatre and its contexts provide fruitful case studies from different perspectives, as they allow to define more clearly the relationship of real life violence and rehearsed, written and depicted violence.
In juxtaposing interpretations of Ancient dramas (tragedy, comedy, mime, satyr play etc.) and reconstructions of their performances with analyses of their pictorial representations or/and their topics we want to explore the different strategies of transmitting rhythms and impacts of excessive violence. How is (artificial) violence set in scene? Who are the victims (human beings, animals, nature etc.) and who the perpetrators? What could have been the impact on the public respective? This includes the use of excessive violence in non-theatrical forms of spectacles as these determine the public’s perception. We also want to look at violence in the theatre, i.e. violence among the spectators.
Sociological and psychological approaches to Ancient drama and theories of literature and visual arts concerning the depiction of violence and negative emotions as well as case studies of the reception of ‘violent’ dramas in modern theatre will widen the inter- and transdisciplinary horizon.
The contributors comprise Classical archeologists and philologists, Ancient historians, sociologists and theatre practitioners.
Scientific Organizers:
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heide Frielinghaus
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christine Walde
Event Manager: Melina Rehner