Skene (redirected from skenes)

skene

In ancient Greek theatre, a building behind the playing area that was originally a hut in which actors changed masks and costumes. It eventually became the scenic backdrop for the drama. First used c. 465 BC, the skene was a small wooden structure facing the circle of spectators. It developed into a two-story edifice decorated with columns, with three doors used for entrances and exits. It was flanked by wings (paraskenia). By the end of the 5th century BC, the wooden skene was replaced by a permanent stone structure. In the Roman theatre it was an elaborate building facade.

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skene

The Greek term for scaena (Latin).

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Skene 

one of the three parts of the ancient Greek theater, the other two being the orchestra and auditorium. At first the skene was a temporary wooden structure where the actors changed costumes and from where they made their entrances. Beginning in the first half of the fifth century B.C., when theatrical action became more complex and second and third actors were introduced, the skene was built behind the orchestra or tangent to its circumference. The modern Russian word stsena is derived from the ancient Greek word skene and the Latin scaena. [23–1498–]