Religious festivals dedicated to Zoroastrianism were some of the most popular forms of entertainment in the Persian Empire, especially within Persia. During a five to six day fire festival, sources say that Rabbi Simon ben Gamaliel would toss eight torches that were lit on fire up into the air and catch them. All of Jerusalem was lit up by lanterns and torches because the community enjoyed and honored this festival. These fire festivals were so important to Zoroastrians that fire temples were built and still stand to this day. Along with the decrease of visuals being used during religious rituals, Zoroastrianism also greatly decreased in popularity in this region because people began practicing Islam. This led to various other ceremonies for
…show more content…
Greek tragedy took up the majority of Greek theater in this region. The Greeks enjoyed theater as a leisure activity because theater allowed the audience to experience and express emotions. A few plays in ancient Greece that people enjoyed were Oedipus and Philoctetes, which both incorporated feelings of grief and compassion. These emotions became an escape for the audience to enjoy and watch as a leisure activity if they had a busy lifestyle. Come watch these plays soon at one of the amazing theaters in Persia! Music also played during these Greek tragedies and made the plays more engaging for people to watch. Greeks commonly said, “music is for the soul”, and saw music as a way to bring together a civilized community during peacetime. Greeks also believed that music helped worship the gods and bring people together through choruses and dancing. The Greeks not only provided the theater and music as leisure, but they also influenced the arts of the Iranian regions. Iranian and Greek influences converged together to eventually create Persian Rhytons. These artistic forms of pottery featured a bull or ram’s head and resembled a cup. Rhytons of the Greco-Persian era can still be found at the Museo di Archeologia Ligure. Check them out
Greek tragedy took up the majority of Greek theater in this region. The Greeks enjoyed theater as a leisure activity because theater allowed the audience to experience and express emotions. A few plays in ancient Greece that people enjoyed were Oedipus and Philoctetes, which both incorporated feelings of grief and compassion. These emotions became an escape for the audience to enjoy and watch as a leisure activity if they had a busy lifestyle. Come watch these plays soon at one of the amazing theaters in Persia! Music also played during these Greek tragedies and made the plays more engaging for people to watch. Greeks commonly said, “music is for the soul”, and saw music as a way to bring together a civilized community during peacetime. Greeks also believed that music helped worship the gods and bring people together through choruses and dancing. The Greeks not only provided the theater and music as leisure, but they also influenced the arts of the Iranian regions. Iranian and Greek influences converged together to eventually create Persian Rhytons. These artistic forms of pottery featured a bull or ram’s head and resembled a cup. Rhytons of the Greco-Persian era can still be found at the Museo di Archeologia Ligure. Check them out