The Choregoi Flashcards
What was the role of the choregos?
Financial backer of a set of plays and his input was vital
Being drawn from the city’s wealthy elite who were required to fund various services called liturgies
Being a choregos was a liturgy
What were some advantages of the role ?
If they were associated with success of such a festival it have them prestige
Example being Pericles
If a playwright win he could pay for a victory monument which would be inscribed with his own name and the eponymous Archon
What are some disadvantages of the role ?
Required large amount of money for the role with one even spending 3,000 drachmas for a tragedy play in 410
Choregos paid for almost everything including costumes, props and masks
Had to select members of his chorus and provide them with food and a place to rehearse
If a playwright wasn’t skilled enough to train his own chorus the choregos would pay a professional trainer
