I've heard that professional actors in ancient Rome were considered some of the lowest people in society, just a step up from prostitutes for example. How accurate is this? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

I've heard that professional actors in ancient Rome were considered some of the lowest people in society, just a step up from prostitutes for example. How accurate is this?

by elencus

Originally read this tidbit here, on r/TIL.

Follow up--at what point in history did actors begin to gain the fame and prestige they have today?

Searocksandtrees

hi! you may be interested in a few previous posts (tl;dr: yup)

on the status of actors in Ancient Rome

Why did the Romans hate actors? - featuring /u/iraah9, /u/seringen and /u/brak60
How was acting and the dramatic arts viewed as a profession in ancient Greece and Rome? - featuring /r/arivederlestelle
Did classical actors get paid alot, or at all? - featuring /u/district88

on the changing social status of actors

When did actors go from having the same social status as prostitutes to celebrities? - featuring /u/merdre

if you have follow-up questions on locked posts, just ask them here; page the relevant user by including their username