The Socio-Economic Situation of the Actors in Ancient Greece

Abstract

On the basis source materials and the studies, the author, and it is the first time in the Polish language, depicts more extensively the various aspects of the socio-economic situation in the actors of ancient Greece. He proves that their circumstances were different than in the Roman times, or over long centuries and in modern and medieval Europe until the twentieth century, in which time they were rather despised. The actors (protagonists) in Greece had always been rated highly in social hierarchy, enjoyed respect and received wide recognition. The most prominent of them made an international name for themselves and made great fortunes. Establishing trade unions, they not only could successfully defend their own group interests, but also secured for themselves various privileges, and to a great extent influenced the development of literature and stage art. They also influenced on politics, fulfilling diplomatic functions, on occasions becoming friends of the Macedonian rulers, and later their successors in the Hellenistic epoch. Such characteristics of their lives as stardom, huge income, moral scandals and membership of the upper calsses remind us of the present times.