This document discusses Byzantine mimes, or comedic performances, and analyzes whether they can be considered a form of popular culture. It provides historical context on mimes in Byzantium and examines how they were received over time. Mimes were initially performed in the Hippodrome for large audiences and incorporated provocative jokes and themes. However, as Christian ideology grew dominant from the 4th-5th centuries onward, the Church began censoring and criticizing mimes, viewing the acts and actors as immoral. Over time, the terminology used to describe mimes also took on more negative connotations, reflecting their declining social acceptance. The document thus explores the changing cultural landscape and shifting boundaries of what was considered