Differences between Ancient Green and Roman Theater

    Although much of Roman theater is influenced by Ancient Greek theater, they share a few significant differences that help distinguish Greek theater from Roman theater. For example, Greek performers were usually aristocrats that were high class members of society; theater in ancient Greece had evolved as a way to educate the masses about its history. On the contrary, the Romans utilized poor men, often slaves, as their performers in various forms of theater than included plays derived from literature, tragic dramas, comedies and the notorious gladiator battles. Greek theater also consisted of dramas and tragedies but their primary focus was to convey the history of their peoples, namely the history of major wars.
    In a sense, Greek theater was implemented as a form of education and enlightenment while the Romans were concerned with organizing magnificent, large scale performances that reflected upon their imperial valor.

http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/dunkle/comedy/romnthtr.htm