THE GREAT OR CITY DIONYSIA
The
priest of Dionysus sat in a special throne in the middle of the front row
of the theater. Although it is not visible in this photograph, the
throne was decorated with roosters being urged to fight by winged boys.
This decoration no doubt symbolized the contests among dramatists that
was a feature of every Great Dionysia festival. This throne belongs
to the fourth century BC, when the theater of Dionysus was first constructed
of stone.
The following religious and civic activities
filled out the rest of the festival:
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Ritual purification of the theater.
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Libation (wine-offering) by the ten generals,
the most important elected officials in Athens.
-
Announcement by herald of names of distinguished
citizens and benefactors, who had been given golden crowns by the Assembly
for their services to the state.
-
Display to the audience of tribute brought to
Athens by subject allies (at least until Athens lost its empire in 404
BC). As one can imagine, this practice inspired great hostility in
the Athenian allies.
-
During the Peloponnesian War, the presentation
of suits of armor to orphaned sons of military age, whose fathers had been
killed in war. The sons were then seated in the front row (prohedria).
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Selection of judges and determination by lot
of the order of competitors. Unlike the Oscars, Tonys, and Emmys in which
professionals in the field decide awards, ancient judges seem to have been
ordinary citizens, perhaps with a special interest in drama. The ancient
sources emphasize that the judges were influenced by the approval or disapproval
of the audience and some sources even claim that the judges were obliged
to pay attention to the audience’s desires.
-
Performance of tragedies and comedies.
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On last day of the festival the announcement
of the judges’ decisions and awarding of prizes took place. The winning
poet received a crown of ivy. Among the extant comedies of Aristophanes,
at least three won first prizes. In fact, Aristophanes may have won
more first prizes with his eleven surviving and approximately thirty lost
plays , but information about this aspect of his career is very sketchy
in the ancient sources .
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