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 City 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:
-
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 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 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.
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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. Aeschylus won thirteen victories during his lifetime and
a few posthumously when he plays were revived. Sophocles had twenty-four
victories, more than any other tragic poet that we know of. Euripides
had only five victories and one of those was posthumous. This was
not due to any inadequacy as a playwright, but was the result of the controversy
aroused by themes in his plays.
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