The last chapter of Book II of the Didascalicon, where Hugh of St Victor completes his list of seven “mechanical” arts. The work is his guide to the arts and sciences and to the order of study. He names the theatrical “the science of games” and lists where they were held: theatres, courts, gymnasiums, amphitheatres, arenas, banquets and temples.
Read in contextThe theatrical is the science of games, named from the theatre, where the people were accustomed to assemble to play, not because games were played only in the theatre, but because it had been a more frequented place than the others. Games were held, some in theatres, some in courts, some in gymnasiums, some in amphitheatres, some in arenas, some at banquets, some in temples. In the theatre, deeds were recited, either in songs, or with masks, or persons, or puppets. In the courts they led dances and leaped. In the gymnasiums they wrestled. In the amphitheatres they contended in the race, whether of feet, or of horses, or of chariots. In the arenas they fought. At banquets they sang to rhythms and musical instruments, and odes, and played at dice. In temples, at the solemn time, they sang the praises of the gods. They counted games among lawful actions because by moderate motion the natural heat is nourished in the body, and its gladness is restored. Or, what seems better, because it was necessary for the people to assemble sometimes to play, they wished places for playing to be determined, lest, making meetings in scattered places, they should commit something shameful or criminal.