The body disciplines in the theater of ancient Greece: the case of Lucianus of Samosata

Abstract

The paper aims at exploring the Laws which rule the Body both in the work of actors and performers in the Theatre of ancient Greece. Two sources are being examined dealing with this topic: the De Saltatione by Lucian of Samosata, and the Pro Saltatoribus by Libanius. This article analyzes the first source trying to highlight Body Strategies, such as gestures, training, semantic values. Lucianus underlines the close relationship between Body (soma) and Mind (psyché), relying on his idea of Thinking in Motion. As a conse- quence he rejects the supremacy of literacy and mind over performance and body.