Dionysus festivals sacred dramas origins Western theatre

Dionysus festivals helped give rise to Western theatre

At festivals for the god Dionysus, performers staged sacred dramas about his myths. Those performances were an early force in the development of theatre in Western culture.

Roman gladiator fights did not have to end in death

Trained gladiators were expensive to buy, train, and maintain, so owners did not want them killed in every fight. A gladiator match could end with both fighters alive. Convicted prisoners sent into the arena were treated very differently and could be expected to die.

Potatoes may have powered nearly half of Europe's early urban growth

~47% estimated contribution

Potatoes produce large amounts of food from relatively small areas of land and can thrive in conditions unsuitable for some traditional grains. After their introduction from the Americas, they improved food supplies across parts of Europe. One economic study estimated that potatoes accounted for about 47% of the increase in urbanization across the Old World between 1700 and 1900.

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Dionysus festivals sacred dramas origins Western theatre

Dionysus festivals helped give rise to Western theatre

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