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The histriones, however, whom for this purpose they summoned from Etruria, were merely dancers, who probably did not attempt any pantomimic dances, but endeavoured to delight their audience by the agility of their movements. Their oldest spoken plays, the Fabulae Atellanae, the Romans borrowed from the Osci, the aboriginal inhabitants of Italy.
The fables, which were generally represented after the regular play as an interlude or farce, are mentioned by Juvenal in two of his satires: "Urbicus exodio risum movet Atellanae Gestibus Autonoes;" and in his pretty description of a rustic fete
Early Literature of the Romans; the Fescennine Songs; the Fabulae Atellanae. 2. Early Latin Poets; Livius Andronicus, Naevius, and Ennius. 3. Roman Comedy. 4. Comic Poets; Plautus, Terence, and Statius. 5. Roman Tragedy. 6. Tragic Poets; Pacuvius and Attius. 7. Satire; Lucilius. 8. History and Oratory; Fabius Pictor; Cencius Alimentus; Cato; Varro; M. Antonius; Crassus; Hortensius. 9.
But what is more immediately connected with our present purpose is the conjecture that in these Mimes and Atellane Fables we have perhaps the first germ of the Commedia dell' arte, the improvisatory farce with standing masks. A striking affinity between the latter and the Atellanae consists in the employment of dialects to produce a ludicrous effect.
Disraeli observes that: "This Italian story, told with all the poignant relish of these vivacious natives, to whom such a stinging incident was an important event, also shows the personal freedoms taken on these occasions by a man of genius, entirely in the spirit of the ancient Roman Atellanae or the Grecian Satyra."
An explanation quite similar may be given of the "lays of Fescennium," which likewise belong to the burlesque poetry of the Romans and were localized in the South Etruscan village of Fescennium; it is not necessary on that account to class them with Etruscan poetry any more than the Atellanae with Oscan.
Roman Theatres Description "Deadheads" Pantomime in Italy Livius Andronicus Fabulae Atellanae Extemporal Comedy Origin of the Masque, Opera, and Vaudeville Origin of the term Histrionic Etruscans Popularity of Pantomime in Italy Pantomimists banished by Trajan Nero as a Mime Pylades and Bathyllus Subjects chosen for the Roman Pantomimes The Ballet The Mimi and Pantomimi Archimimus Vespasian Harlequin "Mr.
In Italy the Masque entertainment long held sway, and was a light form of amusement, consisting of Pantomime, music, singing, and dancing, and an adaptation of the Fabulae Atellanae of ancient Italy. The performers wore masks, also high-heeled shoes, fitted with brass or iron heels, which jingled as they danced. This ancient custom to present-day stage dancers will doubtless be of interest.
Such mimes as these were often held at banquets for the amusement of great men. Sulla was passionately fond of them. Admitted to the stage, they naturally took the place of interludes or afterpieces. Thus arose the distinction of parts and dialogue; the chief actor was called Archimimus, and the mime was then developed after the example of the Atellanae.
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