Drama and Theatre in Ancient Athenian Society

Role of drama in athenian society, City dionysia, Structure of theatre space, Representation of visuals

When was theatre born, why was it performed, and how

2nd half of the 6th century BC, for religious festivals, as a competition entry

Who was the religious festivals in honour of?

Dionysus - Greek god of drama, wine and revely

Polis

The word for a Greek city-state. The polis of Athens consisted of the city and its surrounding region, Attica. Anyone in the polis was a full Athenian citizen, and were able to take parts in democratic assembly or festivals.

the Lenaea

-Held in late January
-Competitions for comedy and tragedy introduced in c.440
-Comedy seems to have been more important
-Held so early in the eyear only Athenians welcome, as seas were too dangerous for others to travel

the Rural Dionysia

-Held in mid-winter
-Held in the demes of rural Attica
-Plays performed were probably revivals of those performed at the main city festivals

deme

a village or district of Attica. There were 139 in the 5th century.

Why was it significant that the City Dionysia was hosted in late March

-It was appropriate to worship Dionysus, who encouraged new growth, in the springtime
-The start of the sailing season allowed the Athenians to show off their city and its festival to visitors from other parts of the Greek world

What happened to the state during the City Dionysia

Public business ceased, law courts closed and prisoners were given day-release to watch the plays.

Who was the Eponymous Archon

A leading politician of Athens who was responsible for running the City Dionysia. The Athenian civil year was named after him.

What was the preparations in the summer of the preceeding year for the City Dionysia.

-Tragic playwrights presented a synopsis of 3 tragic plays and 1 satyr play
-Comic playwrights has to present a synopsis of 1 comic play
-The Archon would then pick 3 tragic playwrights and 5 comic playwrights to write and perform their plays

What was a choregos?

The financial backer chosen by the Archon attached to a playwright to support the production of his plays. This was a liturgy, contributing towards a tax on the super-rich of Athens which required them to fund various public services to contribute to the functioning of Athens.

What did a choregos do?

Pay for costumes, props, masks, special effects, payment for chorus and musicians. Had to select the members of his chorus, provide them with food, a place to rehearse and sometimes accommodation. Sometimes a professional trainer. This could all cost up to 3,000 drachmas.

Why would someone want to be a choregos?

The prestige. If a choregos’ playwright won, they could pay for a victory monument, which would be inscribed with his own name, the eponymous’ archon’s name, the main actors and the musicians,

What happened a day or two before the City Dionysia

the Proagon (pre-contest)
-Held in the Odeion, a covered concert hall next to the Theatre of Dionysus
-Plays were announced, and each playwright delivered a short synopsis.
-Playwrights might introduce his choregos, actors and musicians. Actors might perform a short passage.
-The only time actors would appear in character without their masks.

What happened the evening before the City Dionysia began

-Wooden statue of Dionysus was brought into the city from a shrine just outside the city on the road to Elutherae.

-Torchlight procession re-enacted Dionysus’ arrival in Athens from the distant deme of Eleutherae.

-Statue is then escorted to the theatre of Dionysus, where a sacrifice was made. It then remained in the theatre throughout the dramatic performances, a symbol of the god’s presence.

Day 1 of the City Dionysia

-Pompe! Grand procession

-Started outside the city and made its way to the agora, then the temple of Dionysus with the sacrifice of a sacred bull and other animals.

-Dithyrambic competitions in the theatre. A choral dance in honour of Dionysus, and each tribe entered choruses for this event. Each chorus had its own choregos and victory could bring great prestige

-A revel/komos
-Loosely organised revel through the streets with song and dance held by the men of the city

What was a tribe

A political division in Athens. All Athenian citizens were members of one of the 10 tribes. Each tribe formed a political constituency in Athens, a regiment in the Athenian army and had religious duties.