The Puppet and the Puppet-Master in Ancient Greece: Fragments of an Art Form

Of all performance traditions of antiquity, puppetry has attracted the least scholarly attention, yet, from fragmentary evidence which survived, it is possible to make a number observations about real practice puppetry, beyond its metaphorical usage in philosophical texts. Relying on literary, epigraphical, and archaeological material, this paper addresses inter-relation context, physical form, aesthetic ancient Greek puppetry. Puppeteers performed variety contexts, included public theaters, during religious festivals, where they were hired supplement competitions drama music. This documented inscriptions relating festivals. Like other entertainers, such as trick-magicians, acrobats, mimes, pantomimes, puppeteers known thaumatopoioi ("marvel-makers"). Thauma wonder experienced at things viewer cannot comprehend, seem impossible or defy expectation, often (as case puppetry) associated with mimesis ("imitation"). directed puppets because are inanimate objects, yet appear move living beings miniature theater, an artful imitation life.