Emperors and Actors
Berestenev S. Yu.
In early Roman Empire theatre played an important political part. One can suppose that after the decline of the republic it acquired some new functions, becoming the only place where the will of the Roman people made itself manifest. The opinion of the spectators (regarded as that of Roman people) could well influence Roman home policy. Besides, it is probable that the functions of theatrical performances were in many ways similar to those of mass media in our day. In such circumstances the figure of actor becomes quite unique. Enjoying traditional freedom of speech, the actor combined qualities of a speaker in popular assembly and of a herald. Having such functions, he just could not help taking part in Roman political life and ignoring matters of common interest. This could not but result in political tint of his performance and in criticizing the ruling emperor. It is well known that in Roman republic the scene was often used by politicians for the purposes of propaganda. But in the Empire such possibilities were almost lost. While August was still liberally tolerant towards the actors, Tiberius began to limit their contacts with public beyond the stage. Emperor's main task was to reduce the political appeal of the actors' performances without depriving them of the traditional theatrical freedom of speech and action. This task was partly fulfilled by inviting the most prominent representatives of the profession to the court. This process began under Caligula. In this way the imperial power could to some extent exercise control over the informative functions of the stage and use it for propaganda. Besides, winning round the most popular actors, the emperor could improve his own rating; and sharing people's sympathies the princeps created the atmosphere of solidarity between the citizens and the supreme authority. The stage was certainly used for the purposes of imperial propaganda. However the possibility to use theatrical performances for propaganda implied preserving the traditional features of Roman theatre: free expression of will on the part of the audience and freedom of speech on the part of the actor.