The city Dionysia

• Who was this festival to?

  Dionysus
• Who gave the Athenians a statue of Dionysus?

  The Eleutherae
• Did the Athenians accept the statue?

  no
• What happened when the Athenians rejected the statue?

  The city was hit with a plague that affected mens genitals
• What happened when the Athenians accepted the statue?

  The men were cured
• What was Dionysus the god of?

  Revelry, wine, drama, rebirth
• When was the festival held?

  Spring- mid-late march
• Who attended the festival?

  Everyone- Athens residents, visiting foreigners, prisoners were released
• What did this festival show off?

  Athenian democracy, wealth, culture and power
• When did planning begin?

  9 months before
• Who paid for the dramatic performances?

  A choreogoi
• How many people were in the chorus?

  15
• Who chose the plays to be performed and the sponsors?

  The eponymous archon
• Proagon

  Pre contest official theatrical presentation
• Eisagoge

  Pre festival torchlit procession
• Day 1

  Morning: Pompe

  Afternoon: Dithyrambic contests

  Evening: Komos
• Pompe

  Grand procession through the city dedicated to Dionysus
• What was the route of the Pompe?

  Began outside the city, through the streets and agora, finished at Temple of Dionysus
• What was carried in the Pompe?

  A wooden statue of Dionysus

  Baskets

  Loaves

  Wine skins

  Large phalluses

  Sacrificial animals
• What animals were sacrificed and how many?

  A sacred bull and 200 other animals
• How many choruses did each tribe submit?

  two-one of men and one of boys
• What were the Dithyrambic contests?

  Contests of a dithyramb between tribes
• Where did the tribes perform the dithyrambs?

  Theatre of Dionysus
• How many members of each tribe took part in the choral dance?

  Over 100
• What was the prize for the Dithyrambic contests?

  A crown and a tripod
• What was the komos?

  A feast on the sacrificial meat and a party
• Who was only involved in the Komos?

  The men
• What did the men bring to the Komos and why?

  A leather phallus celebrate Dionysus
• Day 2

  Morning: Opening ceremony

  Afternoon: Comedies performed
• Where was the opening ceremony held?

  Theatre of Dionysus
• What animal was sacrificed in the opening ceremony?

  A piglet
• How many generals of Athens poured libations to the Olympian Gods?

  10
• What was the parade of tribute?

  money from each of Athenian subject allies was carried into the orchestra symbolising wealth and power
• What was the proclamation of honours?

  Awards of a crown for those citizens who had done outstanding service to the city
• What was the parade of orphans?

  boys whos fathers died fighting paraded
• What were the orphans who just turned 18 given in the parade of orphans?

  a suit of armour and declared independent citizens
• What themes were included in comedy performances?

  Satire, war, politics, social life, role reversals
• Who was the most famous playwright?

  Aristophanes
• The skene

  The stage building where actors could change, used as backround for the play
• The parados

  Walkways leading to the theatre