Theatre mask

myminifactory

This mask was unearthed near the Dipylon Gate in Athens, its facial characteristics amplified for dramatic effect. Identified as a 'ruler slave', it represents the first enslaved figure of New Comedy, a theatrical genre that emerged in Ancient Greece and shares parallels with situation comedy and comedic portrayals of social norms. For the first time, love took center stage in these performances, painting a vivid picture of Athenian society and its societal mores without any intent to criticize or reform them. As part of Greek theatre's cathartic aim, masks like this one featured exaggerated features to symbolize the extremes that citizens should avoid.