Classical Studies 2200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Seven Against Thebes, Dionysia, Tetralogy
16 Dec 2016
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May have arisen from ritual worship of the god dionysus. Choral song and dance telling a story to honour the god. Gradual movement of emphasis from choral song to acted episodes. Annual athenian festival in honour of god dionysus. Originally a rural festival, brought into the city of athens. Held in spring, when sailing season had opened. Origins roughly contemporary with beginnings of democracy in athens. Sponsored by the city as a public event. Public business shut down: assembly, law-courts, etc. Opening public ceremonies included: procession and sacrifices to dionysus, display of tribute from cities under athenian protection, presentation of hoplite armour to sons of war-dead, recognition of benefactors of athens. Dithyrambs: choruses of 50 men or boys, presented by each of ten tribes of athens. 3 tragedies + 1 satyr play (tetralogy: one tetralogy on each of three days, each tetralogy by a single playwright. Athenian citizens wrote, produced, acted and formed the chorus of the plays.
