A mechane or machine (Greek μηχανή, mēkhanḗ) was a crane used in Greek theatre, especially in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Made of wooden beams and pulley systems, the device was used to lift an actor into the air, usually representing flight. This stage machine was particularly used to bring gods onto the stage from above, hence the Latin term deus ex machina ("god out of the machine").

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  • A mechane or machine (Greek μηχανή, mēkhanḗ) was a crane used in Greek theatre, especially in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Made of wooden beams and pulley systems, the device was used to lift an actor into the air, usually representing flight. This stage machine was particularly used to bring gods onto the stage from above, hence the Latin term deus ex machina ("god out of the machine"). Euripides' use of the mechane in Medea is a notable use of the machine for a non-divine character. It was also often used by Aeschylus. In Christian liturgy the mechane has also been identified with the cross. Ignatius calls the cross the "theatre mechane" of Jesus Christ. Stage machines were also used in ancient Rome, e.g. during the sometimes highly dramatic performances at funerals. For Julius Caesar's funeral service Appian reports a mechane that was used to present a blood-stained wax effigy of the deceased dictator to the funeral crowd. The mechane was used to turn the body in all directions. Geoffrey Sumi proposes that the use of the mechane "hinted at Caesar's divinity". This is highly unlikely because Appian doesn't describe the mechane as a genuine deus-ex-machina device. Furthermore Caesar's apotheosis wasn't legally conducted until 42 BC and Caesar had only been worshipped unofficially as divus during his lifetime. First and foremost Marcus Antonius attempted to arouse the masses as a means to strengthen Caesar's esteem as well as his own political power.
  • Una mechanè era una sorta di gru usata nel teatro greco, in particolare nel V e IV secolo a.C. Composto da bracci di legno e da un sistema di pulegge, questo marchingegno teatrale era usato per sollevare in aria gli attori, simulandone il volo. Proprio per questo motivo, la mechanè era spesso usata in particolare per simulare l'intervento di un dio sulla scena, da cui l'espressione latina Deus ex machina ("Dio dalla macchina"). L'uso fatto da Euripide della mechanè nella Medea, nel 431 a.C. , è un notevole esempio dell'uso di questo marchingegno da parte di un personaggio non divino. Veniva impiegata spesso anche da Eschilo. Il commediografo Aristofane nelle sue opere prese talvolta in giro questo marchingegno, poiché l'effetto che si otteneva non era secondo lui molto realistico.
  • De mechane is een mechanisme gemaakt uit hout, dat in het theater in het oude Griekenland vooral werd gebruikt in 500 tot 400 v. Chr. Met dit mechanisme werd een speler opgetild zodat hij door de lucht zweefde, alsof hij vloog. Meestal suggereerde het het neerdalen van een god op aarde.
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  • Machine
  • a self-performing device
  • an ancient Greek theatre crane
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  • A mechane or machine (Greek μηχανή, mēkhanḗ) was a crane used in Greek theatre, especially in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Made of wooden beams and pulley systems, the device was used to lift an actor into the air, usually representing flight. This stage machine was particularly used to bring gods onto the stage from above, hence the Latin term deus ex machina ("god out of the machine").
  • Una mechanè era una sorta di gru usata nel teatro greco, in particolare nel V e IV secolo a.C. Composto da bracci di legno e da un sistema di pulegge, questo marchingegno teatrale era usato per sollevare in aria gli attori, simulandone il volo. Proprio per questo motivo, la mechanè era spesso usata in particolare per simulare l'intervento di un dio sulla scena, da cui l'espressione latina Deus ex machina ("Dio dalla macchina"). L'uso fatto da Euripide della mechanè nella Medea, nel 431 a.C.
  • De mechane is een mechanisme gemaakt uit hout, dat in het theater in het oude Griekenland vooral werd gebruikt in 500 tot 400 v. Chr. Met dit mechanisme werd een speler opgetild zodat hij door de lucht zweefde, alsof hij vloog. Meestal suggereerde het het neerdalen van een god op aarde.
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  • Mechane
  • Mechanè
  • Mechane
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