2,000-Year-Old Satyr Mask Found in Russia Confirms Ancient Greek Theater in Phanagoria

The discovery of a terracotta theatrical masks gives compelling new proof for the life of a theatre withinside the historic Greek metropolis of Phanagoria.

Image Credit: Ann Belyanina

Phanagoria became the biggest historic Greek metropolis at the Taman peninsula, positioned alongside the jap shore of the Cimmerian Bosporus.

Founded via way of means of Teian colonists round 543 BC, the metropolis served as fundamental buying and selling hub among the Maeotian marshes and the nations at the southern facet of the Caucasus.

Recent excavations, supported via way of means of the Volnoe Delo Foundation, have exposed a fraction of a theatrical masks, which in line with professionals presents tangible evidence that a classical theatre as soon as operated in Phanagoria.

Dating to the 2d century BC, the fragment depicts a satyr – a creature from Greek mythology that has the top frame of a person and the legs, tail, and horns of a goat. Satyrs also are related to Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, and are acknowledged for his or her love of wine, music, dancing, and trying to seduce women.

According to a press announcement via way of means of Volnoe Delo: “A perforation at the back of the ear as soon as held the strap that secured the masks to the actor`s head. Measuring approximately 30 cm in length, with huge openings for the eyes and mouth, the piece became absolutely a useful theatre prop.”

“In historic Greece, actors wore mask to exchange roles and bring emotions. Facial functions and colorations allowed audiences to recognize a character`s persona at a glance.”

The discovery became made withinside the metropolis`s vital district, in which archaeologists suspect the principle theatre as soon as stood. Head of the Phanagoria expedition, Vladimir Kuznetsov, mentioned that ancient reassets already hinted at any such structure.

“There isn`t the slightest doubt that Phanagoria had a theatre,” he said. “We accept as true with it became positioned on a hill overlooking the ocean and current Kerch — the historic Panticapaeum, capital of the Bosporan Kingdom,” introduced Kuznetsov.

Previous excavations have additionally unearthed miniature ritual mask, frequently much less than 10 centimetres high. These had been normally established on poles and devoted in sanctuaries as votive offerings, now and again in hopes of recuperation or divine favour.