The Last Action of Crassus

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players. William Shakespeare

The comparison of the world with a stage is as old as the world itself. King Artavazd II, the first Armenian playwright and the founder of the Armenian theatrical art, was also a skillful director.

An interesting incident has occurred during his activity. His play “The Bacchae” based on the the tragedy written by Euripides caused a shock on the political scene in the Near East 2000 years ago.

The amphitheater of the Artashat Theater was full with spectators. In the honorary lodge sat two kings – King Artavazd II and Orodes I of Parthia.

The final of the tragedy was approaching. One Jason stepped onto the stage and, instead of the sham head required by the script, took out the head of Marcus Licinius Crassus and said, “Here are the horns of a deer killed by us on a happy hunt.”