Classical Studies 2200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Dionysia, Tetralogy, Satyr Play
5 Jan 2020
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May have arisen from ritual worship of god dionysus (ritual as performance) Choral dance and song 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 city of athens. Held in spring, when sailing season had opened. Origins are roughly contemporary with beginnings of democracy in athens. A civic and religious event sponsored by the city attended by all citizens and foreign guests. Display of tribute from cities under athenian protection. Presentation of hoplite armour to sons of war-dead. Chorus of 50 men, another of 50 boys presented by each of the ten tribes of. 3 tragedies + 1 satyr play (tetralogy: four related literary works) Athenian citizens wrote, produced, acted, and formed chorus of the play. Training was at expense of the wealthiest citizens, chosen by an archon (leading public official)
