Mimes

Mimes, the name given by the ancients to certain dramatic performances, in which, with little attempt at art, scenes of actual life were represented, sometimes in improvised dialogue. The Greek mimes appear to have been invented by the Greeks of Sicily and Southern Italy. They were a favourite amusement of convivial parties, the guests themselves being generally the performers. Sophron of Syracuse (about 420 B.C.) composed many in the Doric dialect, which were much admired, and which Plato was accustomed to read.—The Roman mimes were not borrowed from the Greek, but were of native Italic growth. They were not only far ruder and coarser, but in some respects they were essentially different—the dialogue occupying a smaller place, and mere gesture and mimicry predominating. The humour and satire, however, were often genuine, though rough and even indecent, and they were greatly relished by all classes; even the patrician Sulla was fond of them. Their most famous mimic poets were Decimus Laberius and Pub. Syrus.