Dionysia

Lore & Background

The Dionysia originated as a rural festival in Eleutherae, Attica, celebrating vine cultivation. Archaeological evidence suggests theatres for the Rural Dionysia were built as early as the 6th century BCE, though the festival is believed to be older. Held in the winter month of Poseideon (December–January), its central event was the pompe (procession), featuring phalloi carried by phallophoroi, along with kanephoroi, obeliaphoroi, skaphephoroi, hydriaphoroi, and askophoroi. After the procession, contests of dancing and singing occurred, and choruses performed dithyrambs. Some festivals included dramatic performances, possibly revivals from the City Dionysia. The Rural Dionysia was celebrated in urban towns like Kollytos and Peiraieus, reflecting a broader celebration of agrarian culture. Different towns held festivals on different days, allowing spectators to visit multiple festivals and traveling actors to perform in several towns.

Reader's Guide

The City Dionysia, also called the Great Dionysia, was established in the 6th century BC under the tyranny of Peisistratus, who recognized the cult of Dionysus as a national cult and promoted performing arts. Held in the month Elaphebolion (March–April), three months after the Rural Dionysia, it celebrated the end of winter and crop harvest. According to tradition, the festival originated when Eleutherae joined Attica and brought a statue of Dionysus to Athens; initial rejection led to a plague affecting male genitalia, cured by accepting the cult. The festival's pompe included citizens, metics, and representatives from colonies carrying a wooden statue of Dionysus Eleuthereus, phalloi, and bulls for sacrifice. After the pompe, dithyrambic competitions and sacrifices occurred, followed by a komos (drunken revelry). The next day featured the proagon, where playwrights announced titles and judges were selected. Dramatic performances occupied at least three days, with three playwrights each presenting three tragedies and one satyr play. Comedies were officially admitted in 487/6 BC. The festival was a major venue for works by Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles, and winning the comedic prize was a great honor.

Did You Know?

• The City Dionysia was established during the tyranny of Peisistratus in the 6th century BC.
• Comedies were officially admitted to the City Dionysia in 487 BC.
• The comic playwright Aristophanes parodied the Rural Dionysia in his play The Acharnians.