Didascalicon, Book II: the sciences, their parts and their discipline
Chapter XXVIII. On the theatrical science
The 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.
Chapter XXIX. On logic, which is the fourth part of philosophy; and on grammar.
Logic is divided into grammar and the method of discoursing. Gramma in Greek is interpreted letter in Latin; hence grammar is so called, that is the literal science. A letter is properly the figure which is written; an element, the sound which is pronounced. Yet here letter is to be taken broadly, so that we understand both voice and writing; for both pertain to grammar. Some say that grammar is not a part of philosophy but as it were an appendage and instrument to philosophy. Of the method of discoursing Boethius says: “That it can be both a part and an instrument of philosophy, as foot, hand, tongue, eyes, etc. are parts of the body and instruments.” Grammar treats simply of words, that is according to themselves, their invention and formation, composition, inflection, utterance, and the rest pertaining only to pronunciation. The method of discoursing treats of words according to their meanings.