pantomimus
/ˈpantəmʌɪməs/ /ˌpantəˈmʌɪməs/Classical History
noun
A dramatic performer popular in the Roman Empire who represented mythological stories through gestures and actions, supported by music and a chorus, playing all the roles in a piece, each role having its own mask.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in George Puttenham (1529–?1591), writer and literary critic. From classical Latin pantomīmus pantomime.