Theories about the development of the theater in the West generally begin with Greek drama; this is etymologically appropriate as well as historically correct, since the words theory and theater are related through their Greek sources. The Greek ancestor of theater is theatron, “a place for seeing, especially for dramatic representation, theater.” “The act of being a spectator at the theater or games,” “viewing,” “contemplation by the mind,” and “theory or speculation.” The source of theoria is theoros, “an envoy sent to consult an oracle, spectator,” a compound of thea, “viewing,” and –oros, “seeing.” It is thus fitting to elaborate theories about culture while seeing a play in a theater.