The Popularity of the Dance Spectacle of Ancient Pantomime*
Pantomime was the most popular theatre entertainment of the Roman imperial period. Not to be confused with the modern theatre genre, ancient pantomime ( pantomimus ) was a form of competitive solo interpretive dance. Introduced to Rome in 23 BCE according to the late antique chronicler Zosimus ( New History , 1.6.1): The pantomime dance was introduced at that time, (it had not existed previously; Pylades and Bathyllus were the first to make it a career), as well as other things which remain to this day the cause of many evils. The name pantomimus literally means “all mime” and given that one dancer performed all the roles without speaking, this is an appropriate name. The commonly male professional dancer used a small and wore a different mask for each role. Theatrical arts were commonly represented via their masks, and pantomime was no different. Pantomime masks were closed because the dancer did not speak (Lucian, On Dance , 29). Closed mouthed masks represent pantomime, like those
.jpeg)