Festivals and theatre context Flashcards
What three events took place on the first day of the festival?
The pompe, dithyrambic contests and the komos
What events happened on day two of the festival?
Opening ceremony and five comedy plays
What events took place on day three of the festival?
Three tragedies and one satyr play
What events took place on day four of the festival?
Three tragedies and one satyr play
What events took place on day five of the festival?
Three tragedies and one satyr play then judging and prize giving
What happened a few days after the festival?
The review
Who was the eponymous archon?
Leading politician responsible for running the entire festival
What was the pompe?
A grand religious procession starting outside the city and ending up at the theatre of Dionysus where a shared bull was then sacrificed (among other animals)
What were dithyrambic contests?
Choral dances performed by each Athenian tribe in honour of Dionysus
What was the komos?
A loosely organised revel through the streets with song and dance
When was the parade of tributes?
Days 2-5
When were the proclamations of honour?
Days 2-5
When was the parade of war orphans?
Days 2-5
When did the tradition of theatre start in Athens?
second half of sixth century BC
When were plays performed in ancient Athens?
During religious festivals
To what god were plays performed in honour of?
Dionysus
Define polis
a Greek city state
What did the polis of Athens consist of?
Athens and its surrounding region, Attica
At what time of year were festivals of Dionysus usually held?
Winter months
At what time of year was the City Dionysia held?
late March
At what time of year was the Lenaea held?
late January
At what time of year was the Rural Dionysia held?
mid-winter
Where was the Lenaea hosted?
Athens