Parodos
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parodos
One of the two side entrances to an ancient theater between the seats and the stage; used principally by the chorus, but also by the public.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Parodos
(1) In the ancient Greek theater, an open passage to the orchestra between the amphitheater and the skene (the structure behind the orchestra). A chorus allegedly coming from Athens entered through the western parodos, located at the right of the audience; a chorus which had allegedly arrived from a foreign land entered through the eastern (left) parodos.
(2) In ancient Greek tragedy and Attic comedy, the first introductory passage recited or sung by the chorus. The singing or recitative alternated with declamation.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.