Actors and Icons of the Ancient Theater

"No scholar of the ancient theater can afford to ignore the arguments put forward in this stimulating and exciting book." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 1 April 2011)

"Csapo provides an excellent collection of Oxford lectures (all revised) that rehearse and challenge old evidence and preconceived theories on the history and image of actors from classical Greece to early imperial Rome...What sets this book apart from similar work is its superb collection and socioeconomic study of extant ancient artifacts. This is a fascinating read of the ancient world and the dynamic relationships between its theatre, politics, and popular culture." (CHOICE, January 2011)

"Actors and Icons is a compelling account of the development of acting in antiquity, taking actors all the way from adjuncts (hypokritai who ‘answer' the chorus), to famous, favoured members of the imperial circle." (Scholia Reviews, 1 October 2010)

“Eric Csapo has ferreted out an extraordinary quantity of underappreciated evidence, which he pulls together to produce a highly original and convincing history of actors and acting in the ancient world. Essential reading for understanding the whole context of the great achievements of ancient Greek tragedy and comedy.”
Oliver Taplin, Oxford University

"With an excellent command of the many kinds of evidence, E. Csapo focuses on the actor’s image. He gives us a fascinating new history of the ancient theater."
 Brigitte Le Guen, Paris 8 University

“An enthralling read. Nobody brings the world of the ancient theatre alive like Eric Csapo. From the ways Greek actors reduced their audiences to tears or helpless laughter to the economic and political importance of the Roman entertainment industry, he sees vivid details that pass other scholars by. The range of new evidence and insights is breathtaking. Compulsory reading for all historians of ancient theatre, society or culture.”
Edith Hall, Royal Holloway University of London