Final answer:
Roman performances prominently featured mime, dancing, and pantomime. Pantomime, in particular, held great celebrity status among performers, leading to significant cultural influence and eventual conflict with political authority due to the power they wielded. The popularity of such performances waned with the rise of alternative spectacles and changes in audience preferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roman performances were distinguished by their significant inclusion of mime, dancing, and pantomime. Mime, in the Roman context, refers to theatrical performances involving silent acting or pantomime, which was a distinctive Roman contribution to the arts. Pantomime, brought to Rome by the Emperor Augustus' freedman Pylades in 22 BCE, immediately garnered popularity and was mainly focused on star male performers, although women could also participate on stage in certain mime performances.
The considerable influence of mime actors during the Roman era is evident from historical accounts. The mime riots of 14/15 and 23 CE illustrate the power these performers held and the pushback faced by attempts to constrain their influence. Emperor Augustus adopted strict measures to control the behavior of actors, inflicting severe punishments on those who crossed the lines of decency as defined by Roman society. Despite such measures, the ability of mimes to voice attacks on the emperor and escape unscathed at times highlights their significant societal impact.
By the end of the Roman era, however, the emergence of other forms of spectacle such as gladiatorial contests, chariot racing, and naumachiae began to overshadow dramatic performances. This competition for audiences along with changing tastes led to the decline of traditional theatre and the emergence of new forms of entertainment.