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How did the Greek actors show audience where location was without creating sets?

Greek actors used various techniques to show the audience the location of a scene without creating elaborate sets. Here are some methods they employed:

1. Ekkyklema: This was a platform with wheels that could be rolled out onto the stage. It was often used to show interior scenes, such as a room in a house or a temple, or to reveal a character who was previously hidden.

2. Periaktoi: These were triangular prisms with different scenes painted on each side. They could be rotated to quickly change the setting.

3. Pinakes: These were painted panels that were hung from the stage building. They could be used to represent different backgrounds, such as a forest, a city, or a mountain range.

4. Verbal Description: Actors would often use dialogue to describe the setting of a scene. This allowed the audience to imagine the location without the need for elaborate scenery.

5. Costumes and Props: The actors' costumes and props also helped to indicate the location of a scene. For example, a character wearing a military uniform might be in a battlefield setting, while a character carrying a shepherd's crook might be in a rural area.

6. Lighting: The lighting of the stage could also be used to suggest the location of a scene, for example, by creating a dark and ominous atmosphere for a forest or a bright and sunny setting for a beach scene.

7. Gesture and Movement: Greek actors often used gestures and movement to indicate the location of a scene. For instance, an actor might point towards the sky to indicate that a character is in the heavens or mime the action of rowing a boat to suggest a river or lake.

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