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Theudotus

(32 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Θεύδοτος; Theúdotos). Greek tragedian (TrGF I 157), victorious with the satyr play Palamedes presumably in Magnesia [2] in the 1st cent. BC (DID A 13,5). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Pharadas

(29 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Φαράδας; Pharádas) from Athens; was successful with a satyr play after 85 BC at the Museia in Thespiae (Boeotia) (TrGF I 173). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Spintharus

(65 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Σπίνθαρος; Spíntharos). Tragic poet (TrGF I 40), according to Suda σ 945 author of a Heracles burned and a ‘ Semele struck by lightning. Since Heraclides [16] Ponticus (fr. 13 Wehrli) describes him as an old man, he cannot be identical to the Phrygian S. mentioned in Aristoph. Av. 762, but must have lived in the 4th cent. BC. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Critias

(386 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Κριτίας; Kritías) of Athens, born about 460 BC, descended from an old Attic noble family, on his mother's side he was an uncle of  Plato. Like  Alcibiades [3] he belonged to the circle around  Socrates. Politically he belonged to the antidemocratic forces: in 415 he was accused of participating in the mutilation of the  Herms, in 411 he was a member of the oligarchic council of the 400 ( Tetrakosioi). After the democratic restoration he stayed in Thessaly until 404, after the Athe…

Greek comedy

(2,016 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] A. Antiquity and Middle Ages (CT) In contrast to Greek tragedies, where repeat performances had been officially permitted since 386 BC, there is no epigraphical evidence of any repeat performances of 'ancient' comedies prior to 339 BC. It appears, though, that not the 5th cent.-comedies, but those by contemporary authors or by poets of the immediate past, i.e. those from the periods of the Middle and New Comedy, were performed again.The Old Comedy of the 5th…

Parodos

(451 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ πάροδος/ hē párodos, literally 'entrance, entry song of the chorus'). In his list of components common to all tragedies, Aristotle [6] defined parodos in his Poetics (12, 1452 b22f.) as the first chorus part, with an additional sense of 'entry song' or 'entry speech' (cf. Aristot. Eth. Nic. 1123 a23f.). However, structural analysis should not be limited to rigid, schematic definitions, but also consider the construction and development of dramatic action (σύστασις τῶν πραγμάτων, ibid.). In Attic tragedy, the parodos may open the play (Aesch. Pers. and Supp…

Intrigue

(195 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (τὸ μηχάνημα, τὸ τέχνημα; tò mēchánēma, tò téchnēma). Already Hom. Od., bks. 19-24 shows the close link between recognition scenes ( Anagnorisis) and intrigue that is typical of Attic tragedy. Locus classicus is Aesch. Cho. Intrigue is missing from almost none of Euripides' plays, so that Aristoph. Thesm. 94 can rightly call him the ‘master of the intrigue play’. Euripides composes anagnṓrisis-intrigue dramas especially in his later work. After the recognition, rescue is effected by an intrigue (e.g. Eur. IT 1017ff.; Eur. Hel. 1034ff.). In Ion there is a playful …

Exodos

(280 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἔξοδος, generally ‘departure’, ‘end’). According to Aristot. Poet. 1452b 21f., the exodos is the part of a tragedy which is not followed by a chorus ( Stasimon) (concluding act). Moving from this broad definition, it probably makes more sense to define the exodos in a narrower sense as the exit of the chorus at the end of a drama (cf. Aristoph. Vesp. 582). The most frequent form in tragedy is the ‘ ecce conclusion’: the deed and the doer are presented in a pathos-laden concluding scene (initially usually indirectly by means of a messenger's report […

Katharsis

(608 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ κάθαρσις; hē kátharsis). Katharsis, derived from καθαίρειν ( kathaírein, purge), generally means any type of purgation and elimination of visible (dirt) and invisible uncleanliness (religious defilement: míasma, cf. Hdt. 1,35; Aristot. Poet. 17,1455b 15). In the 2nd half of the 5th cent. BC the term was used as medical term for the removal of harmful substances from the human body or soul (LSJ, s.v. κ. II). The cultic-ritual and medical-psychological meanings have merged in Aristotle's concept of katharsis, which of old has been a matter of scholarly con…

Mesatus

(23 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] Greek tragedian, who enjoyed success at the Dionysia several times after 468 BC (TrGF I 11). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Morychus

(32 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] Tragedian from the closing years of the 5th cent. BC; according to the scholia on Aristophanes he was known for his gluttony (TrGF I 30 T 1-3). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Polychares

(21 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Πολυχάρης/ Polychárēs). Early 4th cent. BC poet, uncertain whether of tragedy or dithyramb (DID B 6). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Polites

(156 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(Πολίτης/ Polítēs). [German version] [1] Son of Priamus Son of the Trojan king Priamus and Hecabe. During the Trojan War, he saves his wounded brother Deiphobus (Hom. Il. 13,533 ff.). The goddess Iris appears once in his guise (ibid. 2,786 ff.). He is killed at the altar in the palace of Neoptolemus [1] (Verg. Aen. 2,526 ff.). According to Cato (Orig. fr. 54 HRR), he reaches Latium with Aeneas (Aeneas [1]) and founds the city of Politorium. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] [2] Companion of Odysseus According to Paus. 6,6,7 ff., one of the companions of Odysseus; r…

Sclerias

(49 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Σκληρίας/ Sklērías) or Sclerius (Σκλήριος/ Sklḗrios), tragic poet cited by Stobaeus (TrGF I 213), dates unknown. It is unlikely that the Skolion (PMG 890) which only Stobaeus ascribes to S. (TrGF I 213 F 5) is in fact by him (testimonies in PMG 651). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Timesitheus

(44 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] [1] Tragedian (Τιμησίθεος; Timēsítheos). Greek tragedian, mentioned in the Suda (τ 613), not datable. According to Suda τ 613, author of 11 tragedies (TrGF I 214). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] [2] see Furius [II 5] see Furius [II 5]

Cleaenetus

(50 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Κλεαίνετος; Kleaínetos). Tragedian (TrGF I 84), won the 3rd place at the Lenaeans in 363 BC; mocked by  Alexis as not exacting (Fr. 268 PCG), by  Philodemus (84 T 3 TrGF I) as a worse poet than Euripides. ‘Hypsipyle’ is attested as a title. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Theodorides

(35 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Θεοδωρίδης; TheodōrÍdēs). Greek tragedian (TrGF I 78 A), took second place at the Athenian Lenaea in 363 BC with a Medea and a Phaethon (DID A 2b, 94). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Morsimus

(50 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Μόρσιμος; Mόrsimos). Son of Philocles, great-nephew of Aeschylus [1] (TrGF I 12 T 3), middle of the 5th cent. BC, oculist (TrGF I 29 T 2) and tragedian, the latter according to Aristophanes (Equ. 401, Pax 802, Ran. 151) of particularly poor quality. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Theatre

(2,540 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] A.Late Antiquity/ Middle Ages (CT) There is, to be sure, evidence for the existence of sporadic performances of Greek tragedies up into 4th cent. AD and plays by Plautus and Terence continued to be performed as late as the 3rd/4th. cents., but on the whole, tragedies and comedies had largely disappeared from the theatre programme of the Roman Imperial Age. The stage of that age, however, was not devoid of dramatic, sub-literary genres [5]. They included mimes, pantomimes and the fabulae cantatae, i.e. tragic isolated scenes perfor…

Polyphrasmon

(60 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Πολυφράσμων/ Polyphrásmōn). Son of Phrynichus [1], tragedian, first victory between 482 and 471 (DID A 3a, 13), successful at the Dionysia in 471  (DID A 1, 22). In 467 he is recorded as third to Aeschylus [1], who won with his Theban trilogy, and Pratinas' son Aristias [2] with his trilogy Lykourgeia (TrGF I 7). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Stichomythia

(484 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (στιχομυθία/ stichomythía). A form of dialogue in ancient drama in which two persons - or, more rarely, three -  speak in regular turns. It was first documented as a technical term in Poll. 4,113, but a description of the dramatic technique of 'dialogue intensification' [6] appears as early as in Aeschylos [1] (Eum. 585 f.). The origins of stichomythia are unknown (initiation rites: [8. 201], folk customs: [2. 95-106]). Under the general heading of the technique of stichomythia, sc…

Rhesis

(452 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ ῥῆσις/ hē rhêsis), generally 'speech' (Hom. Od. 21,291). As early as the 5th cent. BC, rhesis was a technical term for a speech in a play, especially in a tragedy (for the concept cf. Aristoph. Ach. 416, Nub. 1371, Vesp. 580, Ran. 151; Aristot. Poet. 1454a 31, 1456a 31). The length of a rhesis varies from c. 7 to over 100 verses (Eur. Ion 1122-1228, Phoen. 1090-1199, Bacch. 1043-1152). The most important function of rhḗseis in the context of the storyline is to supply information. The requisite details which are important for the storyline are frequen…

Phanostratus

(27 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Φανόστρατος; Phanóstratos) of Halicarnassus. Tragedian, probably successful at the Attic Lenaea in 306 BC. TrGF I 94 = DID B7. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Neophron

(158 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Νεόφρων; Neóphrōn) of Sicyon. Tragedian, 2nd half of 5th cent. BC; according to the Suda (TrGF I 15 T 1) the author of 120 plays, and the first to depict tutors and the torture of slaves on the stage. According to the hypothesis of Euripides' [1] ‘Medea arising from the Peripatetic tradition, the Euripidean drama is said to have derived from N. The 24 surviving verses show clear concordances with Euripides (esp. Medea's monologue in N. fragment 2, cf. Eur. Med. 1021ff., 1236ff.); …

Stasimon

(504 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (τὸ στάσιμον /tò stásimon; derived from the adjective stásimos, 'standing'). In the list of structural forms (μέρη/ mérē) of the tragedy (I.), Aristotle (Poet. 1452b 22-24) distinguishes - among the chorus parts - the párodos from the stasima, which he defines as chorus songs that have no anapest or trochee, thus no recited verses, which are used primarily in the parodos [1]. The term stasimon must not be understood in the sense that the chorus was 'standing' while it sang the song, rather that the chorus performed i…

Trilogy

(41 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ τριλογία/ hē trilogía). From Hellenistic philology onwards a term for three tragedies, without the concluding satyr play, performed during the Great Dionysia at Athens (cf. Schol. Aristoph. Ran. 1124) [1. 80]. Tetralogy; Tragedy I. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) Bibliography 1 Pickard-Cambridge/Gould/Lewis.

Pleias

(125 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Πλειάς/ Pleiás). The 'Constellation of Seven' Greek tragic poets during the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus (Ptolemaeus [I 3] II Philadelphus) (285-246 BC). The list of names varies (as with those of the Seven Sages and the Seven Wonders of the World); certain are: Alexander [21] Aetolus, Lycophron [5] of Chalcis, Homerus [2] of Byzantium,  Philicus of Corcyra and Sositheus of Alexandria; also mentioned are: Sosiphanes [2] of Syracuse, Aeantides, Dionysiades of Tarsus and Euphronius…

Sositheus

(117 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Σωσίθεος/ Sōsítheos) from Alexandria [2] in the Troad, Satyr playwright and tragedian of the Pleias, first half of the 3rd century BC (TrGF I 99). According to the Suda (σ 860) he is also supposed to have written poetry and prose (T 1). In a fictitious burial epigram Dioscurides [3] (Anth. Pal. 7,707 = T 2) praises him as a reviver of the satyr play, taking his direction from Pratinas. 24 verses survive from Daphnis or Lityerses, presumably a satyr play, about the love of Daphnis and the nymph Thalia, their being taken prisoner by Lityerses and presumabl…

Anagnorisis

(546 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (also anagnorismos: ἡ ἀναγνώρισις, ὁ ἀναγνωρισμός; hē anagnṓrisis, ho anagnōrismós). According to Aristot. Poet. 11,1452a-b, anagnorisis is the technical term for the ‘Recognition’ in drama. Aristotle defined anagnorisis as a transition from unknowing into knowing, with the effect that friendship is changed into enmity and vice versa. To him, that anagnorisis is the most dramatic, which occurs simultaneously with   peripeteia . Aristotle differentiated three varieties of anagnorisis with reference to the object: the recognition of persons, of ina…

Philoxenides

(32 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Φιλοξενίδης; Philoxenídēs) from Oropos, writer of satyr plays; after 85 BC he achieved success at the Amphiaraea and Romaea festivals in Oropus (TrGF I 170). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Monologue

(604 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] ‘Soliloquy’ (the term ‘monologue’ is not of ancient origin; it was only Augustinus who coined the term soliloquium, cf. Aug. retract. 1,4,1), special form of speech ( rhḗsis ) found in various literary genres. In distinguishing monologue in its proper sense from other forms of rhḗseis, such as a messenger's report (messenger scenes), the criterion should not be the length of the monologue, but only the communication situation [4. 180 f.]: the solitude or isolation of the speaker, who is not addressing his speech to a listene…

Zotion

(32 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Ζωτίων; Zōtíōn) from Ephesus. Only the name of this Greek tragic poet from the middle of the 2nd cent. BC is recorded (TrGF I 133). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Peripeteia

(187 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ περιπέτεια/ hē peripéteia). Literally 'turn-about, reversal' of a situation, mostly of fate, often unexpected and as a rule from good to bad (e.g. Aristot. Rhet. 1371b 10). The concept is central to Aristotle's Poetics (Poet. 11,1452a 22-29), where P. is defined as the reversal of what was to be achieved into its opposite. This should happen by probability (κατὰ τὸ εἰκός) or by necessity (κατὰ τὸ ἀναγκαῖον). Together with  anagnorisis P. is a characteristic of complex narrative structures ('plots', μῦθοι πεπλεγ…

Dithyramb

(963 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ὁ διθύραμβος; dithýrambos). Choral song in honour of  Dionysus. The origin and meaning of this term has caused much speculation since ancient times. The word itself is certainly not a Greek, perhaps a Phrygian composition; most likely from a combination of íambos (ἴαμβος; two-step) and thríambos (θρίαμβος; three-step) [1]. In a contested passage of his Poetics (Aristot. Poet. 4,1449a 10-13) Aristotle makes the dithyramb the harbinger of tragedy ─ or, say others [2], of comedy. Three phases can be distinguished in the history of the genre: the pre-litera…

Tetralogy

(245 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ τετραλογία/ hē tetralogía). Originally a technical term in rhetoric to describe four speeches treating the same case from different perspectives (Antiphon [4] A.), later also used to summarize the Platonic dialogues in groups of four (Diog. Laert. 3,57; Plato [1] C. 1. - 2.). Since the Hellenistic era, philology has used the term primarily for four theatre pieces connected by content: three tragedies (Trilogy) and one satyr play [2. 80 f.]. The 'originator' of the tetralogy was probably Aeschylus [1]; his Oresteia (458 BC) survives (without the satyr play)…

Monody

(365 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (μονῳδία; m onōidía). Monody and the verb μονῳδεῖν ( monōideîn) are found already in the 5th century BC as technical terms used to describe solo arias by actors in drama (Aristoph. Pax 1012; Aristoph. Thesm. 1077; Aristoph. Ran. 849; 944; 1330). Occasionally they are equated with Threnos, as a notable component of the arias, the complaint (see Aristoph. Vesp. 317-323), was transferred to the whole structural element, as is also the case with antiphonal songs (Kommos [2], Amoibaion). M. are the musical high points in the tragedies of Euripides [1] in particular. According…

Antiphellus

(182 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] This item can be found on the following maps: Theatre | Lycii, Lycia | Education / Culture (Ἀντίφελλος; Antíphellos). Lycian harbour town, modern Kas̨; it may have originally been named Habesos (Plin. HN 5,100). In the 5th/4th cents. BC, A. belonged to  Phellus, was listed in Ps.-Scyl. 100 as πόλις καὶ λιμήν ( pólis kai limḗn, town and port), and, in the 2nd cent. BC, minted its own coins as an independent polis within the Lycian Confederacy [1; 2]. Municipal offices and institutions reveal Rhodian influence, originating from the Rhod…

Amoibaion

(495 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] Generally antiphonal singing (Theoc. 8,31), also dialogue in tragedy (Pl. Resp. 394b), today terminologically established as antiphonal singing in the drama. In the listing of the components of the tragedy in ‘Poetics’ (12,1452b 22) Aristotle differentiates songs for the stage (τὰ ἀπὸ τῆς σκηνῆς) and kommoi as special cases. Whereas in the first instance only the actors are involved (monodies, duets), with the kommoi the collaboration of actors and chorus is decisive. As, however, not all antiphonal singing between choir and actor(s) can be d…

Epiparodos

(60 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] The return of the chorus after it had left the orchestra during the performance of a play (μετάστασις χοροῦ; metástasis choroû, cf. Poll. 4,108), as in: Aesch. Eum. 231, 244; Soph. Aj. 814, 866 ; Eur. Alc. 746, 861, Hel. 385, 515, Rhes. 564, 674 ; Aristoph. Eccl. 310, 478.  Parodos Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) Bibliography O. Taplin, The Stagecraft of Aeschylus, 1977, 377-381.

Epeisodion

(118 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (τὸ ἐπεισόδιον; tó epeisódion, from the adjective ἐπεισόδιος; epeisódios, ‘inserted’). According to Aristot. Poet. 12,1452b 20f. part of a tragedy between two entire chorus parts (that is between the  parodos and the first   stasimon or between two stasima). The term epeisodion is found as a technical term only in the Poetica, other authors speak of a méros or mórion. Aristotle also uses the terminus epeisodion in the Poetica in a more general sense for ‘section’, ‘episode’ (e.g. 17,1455b 13 Aristot. Poet. 17,1455b 2.15.18.27.). In the Old Comedy,…

Pratinas

(743 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Πρατίνας/ Pratínas) of Phlius (in the Peloponnese), according to the Suda π 2230 (TrGF I 4 T 1) the inventor of the satyr play; son of a Pyrrhonides or Encomius (descriptive names: son of a 'red-head' or of 'a member of a - Dionysian - komos'; on the red hair and beards of satyrs cf. Dioscorides, Anth. Pal. 7,707,3 and  Soph. Ichn. 358). Two dates are attested for his life: between 499 and 496 he entered a tragedic agon against Aeschylus [1] and Choerilus [2] (T 1); and 467 is a  terminus ante quem for his death: that year his son Aristias [2] entered with plays by P. ('…

Nothippus

(30 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Νόθιππος; Nóthippos). Athenian tragedian (TrGF I 26), mentioned by the comic poet Hermippus in his Moîrai (prob. performed 430 BC) (Fr. 46 PCG). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Pereus

(37 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Περεύς; Pereús). Son of the Arcadian king Elatus [3] and Laodice; father of Neaera [3] who was the wife of Aleus [1], the founder of Tegea (Paus. 8,4,4; Apollod. 3,102). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Satyr play

(1,196 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(σατυρικὸν δρᾶμα, satyrikòn drâma). [German version] A. Origins As in the case of Greek tragedy, the debate on the origins of the SP also starts with an observation in Aristotle's Poetics. According to Aristot. Poet. 1449a 19 ff., tragedy had initially dealt with minor topics in a humorous language and only later acquired its appropriate solemnity, because it had developed from the satyresque (ἐκ σατυρικοῦ, ek satyrikoû) and its original nature had been more that of a dance (ὀρχηστικωτέρα, orchēstikōtéra). Aristotle thus did not claim in any way that tragedy had developed…

Prologue

(1,052 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(ὁ πρόλογος/ ho prólogos, Lat. prologus, prologium). [German version] A. Concept In his list of the individual elements (μέρη/ mérē) of tragedy in the 'Poetics', Aristotle defines the prologue as a complete section of a tragedy preceding the chorus' párodos (Aristot. Poet. 13,1452b 22 f.) [9. 471 f.]. However, the term prólogos was already in use in the technical sense before Aristotle: in 'The Frogs', Aristophanes subtitles the prologue the 'first part of a tragedy' (Aristoph. Ran. 1120: τὸ πρῶτον τῆς τραγῳδίας μέρος/ tò prôton tês tragōidías méros), which, however, can have ref…

Drama

(450 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] Derived from the verb δρᾶν ( drân), predominantly attested in Attic, the noun δρᾶμα ( drâma; ‘action’, ‘deed’ in a general sense) is the antonym of ‘what is experienced’ (πάθος/ páthos) (Aesch. Ag. 533); it can also mean ‘duty’, ‘task’ (Pl. Tht. 150a, Resp. 451c ). For the most part, though, drama is a technical term meaning ‘theatrical play’ (tragedy, comedy, satyr play) in the context of its performance (Aristoph. Ran. 920); it appears in the plural form in the title of Aristophanes' play Δράματα ἢ Νίοβος ( Drā́mata ē Níobos; fr. 289-298 PCG III2; fr. 299-304 PCG III2), in T…

Euphantus

(61 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] of Olynthus (TrGF 1, 118; FGrH 74), end of the 4th, beginning of the 3rd cent. BC; according to Diog. Laert. 2,110 teacher of  Antigonus [2] Gonatas, to whom he dedicated a work ‘On the Rule of Kings’ (Περὶ βασιλείας; Perì basileías). Writer of a history of the Diadochi period and of several successful tragedies. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Greek tragedy

(3,204 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] A. Antiquity and Middle Ages (CT) The following article is only concerned with the performance of plays by the three main Greek tragedians and the various tendencies of their productions in modern times. It is not possible in this context to deal with adaptations, new arrangements or reworkings, nor with the reception of Greek tragedy as a whole in the history of European cultural and intellectual history. The seminal year marking a decisive change in the practice of performing dramatic plays in Athens was 386 BC, bec…

Euripides

(4,470 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(Εὐριπίδης / Euripídēs) [German version] [1] Tragedian The Attic Tragedian. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] A. Biography The most important evidence comes from the vita passed down to us in several MSS, the  Marmor Parium, the  Suda, Gell. NA 15,20 and the vita by  Satyrus. Only a few details of E.'s life can be considered certain: born between 485 and 480 BC on Salamis, son of a Mnesarchus or Mnesarchides. He took part in the Great Dionysia for the first time in 455, achieving his first victory in 441. During his lifet…

Epirrhematic

(88 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] Derived from tó epírrhēma (τό ἐπίρρημα, ‘that which is said afterwards’), i.e. the speech following a lyric part. The succession of lyrical and spoken (or rather recited) parts is referred to as an epirrhematic composition. Aeschylus frequently used this form in semi-lyrical  amoibaia. In the Old Comedy, epirrhematic composition can be found in the  parabasis and in the epirrhematic agon. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) Bibliography Th. Gelzer, Der epirrhematische Agon bei Aristophanes, 1960 B. Zimmermann, Unt. zur Form und dramatischen Technik der Ar…

Pythangelus

(21 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Πυθάγγελος; Pythángelos). Tragedian of the 5th cent. BC, mentioned only in Aristoph. Ran. 87. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Sinis

(85 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Greek Σίνις/Sínis, robber). One of the scoundrels who are killed by Theseus in their own vicious manner ( e.g. Bacchyl. 18,19-22): S., a son of Poseidon with the cognomen Pityokámptēs ('spruce bender'), is a brigand on the Corinthian Isthmus who ties the arms and legs of travellers to spruce trees that he bent down before. When he lets the trees shoot up, the victims are torn apart. He dies in the same fashion following the principle of Talion Law. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Messenger scenes

(478 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] Longer rhesis in drama, in which other characters or the chorus are informed, either behind or off scene, of events that have taken place before or during the dramatic action and that could not represented on stage either because of the means or the conventions of Attic drama. These reports, furnished with all available rhetorical means, are usually presented by a main or a supporting figure (Eur. Heraclid. 389ff; Soph. El. 680ff.), but often by a nameless messenger specifically introduced for this purpose (ἄγγελοι/ ángeloi or ἔξαγγελοι/ éxangeloi, if the message co…

Mnesilochus

(103 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(Μνησίλοχος/ Mnēsílochos). [German version] [1] see Mnasilochus See Mnasilochus Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] [2] Father-in-law of Euripides Father-in-law of Euripides [1], of the deme of Phlya. In our sources, the daughter's name varies between Choerile and Melito. In the hypothesis to Aristophanes' ‘Thesmophoriazousai the kēdēstḗs (close relative) of Eupolis is incorrectly identified with M. (also in manuscript R). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) Bibliography U. v. Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, Euripides, Herakles I 1895, 7. [German version] [3] Secon…

Hypothesis

(474 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(ὑπόθεσις; hypóthesis). Introduction, summary. [German version] A. History of literature Three types can be distinguished in tragedy: 1. The hypothéseis of  Aristophanes [4] of Byzantium found in the Peripatetic tradition ( Dicaearchus fr. 78 Wehrli); they contain a brief summary, point to the treatment of the same material by another tragedian, name the setting, the identity of the chorus and the speaker of the prologue and give further information on the play's performance (dating, title of the author's other p…

Perdix

(132 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Πέρδιξ/ Pérdix , also called Talus or Calus), great-grandson of Erechtheus, nephew of  Daedalus [1], whose skill he surpassed - he is considered the inventor of, among other things, the saw and the compass (Ov. Met. 8,246ff.; Hyg. Fab. 39; Verg. G. 1,143) - and who therefore threw him to his death from the Acropolis  (Soph. fr. 323 TrGF; Hyg. Hab. 39). In Ov. Met. 8,251-253 P. is rescued by Athena, who turns him into a partridge ( perdix), which watches the burial of Daedalus's son Icarus [1], who also fell to his death, maliciously applauding with its wings ( ibid. 236ff.). Ac…

Didaskaliai

(700 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(αἱ διδασκαλίαι; hai didaskalíai). [German version] I. Greek Derived from the verb διδάσκειν, the singular didaskalía has the general meaning of ‘teaching’, ‘instruction’ (Pind. Pyth. 4,102; Xen. Cyr. 8,7,24) and in a special sense of ‘choral training’ (Pl. Grg. 501e); in the plural it is a technical term for lists of dramatic and choral productions with associated details: year of performance (archon), poet, title, festival, choregos, actors. The entries were made in the archive of the authority responsible for the production, such at least was the case in A…

Thespis

(238 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Θέσπις; Théspis) from Icarium [1] in the Attic deme of Icaria [1. 49], according to one tradition attested on the  Marmor Parium (43) the ‘inventor’ ( prôtos heuretḗs ) of tragedy (TrGF I 1 T 2), according to another (Suda θ 282 = T 1) the sixteenth or second tragedian after Epigenes [0] of Sicyon. Between 535/4 and 532/1, he is supposed to have presented the first tragedy at the great Dionysia in Athens (but cf. [3]) and is considered to be the inventor of theatrical masks (made of linen, T 1). By adding a prologue ( prólogos) and a  rhêsis , he transf…

Deus ex machina

(407 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Θεὸς ἀπὸ μηχανῆς; theòs apò mēchanês). Crane-like stage machinery (μηχανή, γέρανος, κράδη; mēchanḗ, géranos, krádē) that became proverbial as early as the 4th cent. BC, by which a deity could suddenly appear hovering and traversing the air, and imbue the plot with fresh momentum or bring it to an end (cf. Pl. Cleit. 407a; Crat. 425d; Antiphanes 189,13-16 PCG; Alexis 131,9 PCG; Men. Theophorumene fr. 5 Sandbach = 227 Körte; Cic. Nat. D. 1,53). Its use in the parodies of Aristophanes (Pax 174ff.…

Choregia

(217 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (ἡ χορηγία; hē chorēgía). Office of the choregos; from c. 500 BC a special form of   leitourgia in Athens. The choregia was imposed on prosperous citizens by the appropriate archon, and young notables were glad to use this kind of leiturgia in order to win political esteem (in 472 Pericles was choregos for Aeschylus' ‘Persians; cf. also Thuc. 6,16,3 on Alcibiades). The political significance of the choregia becomes especially clear in the dithyrambic agon, where it is not the poet but the choregos who is named in the inscription ( Didaskaliai). Towards the end o…

Sosiphanes

(83 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(Σωσιφάνης; Sōsiphánēs). [German version] [1] Tragedian, died 336/333 or 324/321 BC S. of Syracuse, tragedian (TrGF I 92), died 336/333 or 324/321 BC. The Suda (σ 863) credits him with 73 plays and 7 victories. Meléagros is attested as a title. Inclusion in the Pleiad of tragic poets (TrGF T 1) relates to S. [2]. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [German version] [2] Tragedian, born 306/5 BC Tragedian (TrGF I 103), born 306/5 BC, numbered among the Pleiad of tragic poets. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Philicus

(114 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[German version] (Φίλικος; Phílikos) of Corcyra (Corfu). Poet and tragedian, priest of Dionysus at Alexandria in the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 BC). Member of the Pleias, often confused with Philiscus [4] of Aegina (TrGF I 89; I 104 T1, T4). Nothing survives of the 24 tragedies attributed to him. A large section is preserved of a hymn to Demeter in stichic catalectic choriambic hexameters (SH 676-680). In it, Demeter is consoled for the loss of her daughter with the prospect of cultic honours at Eleusis and by the wit of the maiden Iambe (in direct speech). Zimmermann, Bernhar…

Morsimos

(43 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Μόρσιμος). Sohn des Philokles, Großneffe des Aischylos [1] (TrGF I 12 T 3), Mitte 5. Jh.v.Chr.; Augenarzt (TrGF I 29 T 2) und Tragiker, letzteres nach Aristophanes (Equ. 401, Pax 802, Ran. 151) von bes. schlechter Qualität. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Drama

(418 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] Abgeleitet von dem vorwiegend im Att. belegten Verb δρᾶν ist das Subst. τὸ δρᾶμα (“Handlung”, “Tat” im allg. Sinne) dem “Leid” (πάθος/ páthos) entgegengesetzt (Aischyl. Ag. 533); ferner kann es “Pflicht”, “Aufgabe” bedeuten (Plat. Tht. 150a, rep. 451cPlat. rep. 451c). Vorwiegend jedoch bedeutet D. als t.t. “Theaterstück” (Trag., Komödie, Satyrspiel) im Hinblick auf seine Aufführung (Aristoph. Ran. 920); als Stücktitel im Pl. erscheint D. in Aristophanes' Δράματα ἢ Νίοβος ( Drā́mata ē Níobos; fr. 289-298 PCG III2; fr. 299-304 PCG III2), bei Telekleides fr. 41…

Deus ex machina

(379 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Θεὸς ἀπὸ μηχανῆς). Bereits im 4. Jh.v.Chr. sprichwörtlich gewordene kranartige Bühnenmaschine (μηχανή, γέρανος, κράδη), an der schwebend und die Luft durchquerend eine Gottheit plötzlich erscheinen und der Handlung neue Impulse verleihen oder sie zu Ende bringen konnte (vgl. Plat. Kleit. 407a; Krat. 425d; Antiphanes 189,13-16 PCG; Alexis 131,9 PCG; Men. Theophorumene fr. 5 Sandbach = 227 Körte; Cic. nat. deor. 1,53). Ihr Einsatz ist durch die Parodien des Aristophanes (Pax 174ff…

Mamerkos

(18 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Μάμερκος). Bei Plut. Timoleion 31,1 erwähnter Tragiker des 4. Jh.v.Chr. (TrGF I 87). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Euphantos

(48 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] aus Olynthos (TrGF 1, 118; FGrH 74), Ende 4., Anf. 3. Jh. v.Chr.; nach Diog. Laert. 2,110 Lehrer des Antigonos [2] Gonatas, dem er eine Schrift ‘Über die Königsherrschaft (Περὶ βασιλείας) widmete. Verf. einer Gesch. über die Diadochenzeit und mehrerer erfolgreicher Tragödien. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Didaskaliai

(671 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(αἱ διδασκαλίαι). [English version] I. Griechisch Abgeleitet von dem Verb διδάσκειν, bedeutet didaskalía (Sg.) allg. “Unterricht”, “Unterweisung” (Pind. P. 4,102; Xen. Kyr. 8,7,24), speziell “Einstudierung eines Chores” (Plat. Gorg. 501e); im Plur. ist d. t.t. für die Listen von Dramen- und Choraufführungen mit den relevanten Informationen: Aufführungsjahr (Archon), Dichter, Titel, Fest, Chorege, Schauspieler. Die Daten wurden wohl in den Archiven der spielleitenden Behörden gespeichert (so jedenfalls in Athen). Aristoteles sam…

Pleias

(110 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Πλειάς). Das “Siebengestirn” der griech. tragischen Dichter zur Zeit des Ptolemaios Philadelphos (285-246 v.Chr.). Die Namenslisten divergieren (wie bei den Sieben Weisen oder den Sieben Weltwundern): Als feste Namen erscheinen Alexandros [21] Aitolos, Lykophron [5] aus Chalkis, Homeros [2] aus Byzantion, Philikos aus Kerkyra, Sositheos aus Alexandreia; dazu kommen Sosiphanes aus Syrakus, Aiantides, Dionysiades aus Tarsos und Euphronios. Mit der Liste wird dem…

Amoibaion

(488 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] Allg. Wechselgesang (Theokr. 8,31), auch Dialog in der Tragödie (Plat. rep. 394b), h. terminologische Festlegung auf Wechselgesang im Drama. In der Aufzählung der Bauteile der Trag. in der ›Poetik‹ (12,1452b 22)unterscheidet Aristoteles als bes. Fälle Bühnenlieder (τὰ ἀπὸ τῆς σκηνῆς) und kommoí. Während im ersten Fall nur die Schaupieler beteiligt sind (Monodien, Duette), ist bei den kommoí die Mitwirkung von Schauspielern und Chor entscheidend. Da jedoch bei weitem nicht alle Wechselgesänge zwischen Chor und Schauspieler(n) als Klage…

Kleainetos

(46 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Κλεαίνετος). Tragiker (TrGF I 84), belegte an den Lenäen 363 v.Chr. den 3. Platz; von Alexis als nicht anspruchsvoll (Fr. 268 PCG), von Philodemos (84 T 3 TrGF I) als schlechterer Dichter als Euripides verspottet. Als Titel ist ‘Hypsipyle bezeugt. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Epeisodion

(108 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (τὸ ἐπεισόδιον, von dem Adj. ἐπεισόδιος, “eingeschoben”). Nach Aristot. poet. 12,1452b 20f. Teil einer Trag., der zw. zwei ganzen Chorpartien (d.h. zw. Parodos und erstem Stasimon oder zw. zwei Stasima) steht. Der Begriff E. findet sich als t.t. nur in der Poetica, andere Autoren sprechen von méros oder mórion. Aristoteles verwendet den Terminus E. in der Poetica auch im allgemeineren Sinn für “Abschnitt”, “Episode” (z.B. 17,1455b 13Aristot. poet. 17,1455b 2.15.18.27.). In der Alten Komödie läßt sich oft der zweite Teil der Stücke in …

Nothippos

(28 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Νόθιππος). Athen. Tragiker (TrGF I 26), von dem Komiker Hermippos in den Moírai (aufgeführt wohl 430 v.Chr.) erwähnt (Fr. 46 PCG). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Neophron

(145 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Νεόφρων) aus Sikyon. Tragiker, 2. H. 5. Jh. v.Chr., nach der Suda (TrGF I 15 T 1) Verf. von 120 Stücken, der als erster Pädagogen und die Folterung von Sklaven auf die Bühne gebracht haben soll. Nach der auf peripatetischer Trad. beruhenden Hypothesis zu Euripides' [1] ‘Medea soll das euripideische Drama von N. abhängig sein. Die erh. 24 Verse weisen deutliche Übereinstimmungen mit Euripides auf (bes. Medeas Monolog bei N., Fr. 2 mit Eur. Med. 1021ff., 1236ff.), die Priorität is…

Parodos

(410 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ἡ πάροδος, wörtl. “Einzug, Einzugslied des Chors”). In seiner Aufzählung der allen Tragödien gemeinsamen Bauteile definiert Aristoteles [6] in der ‘Poetik (12, 1452 b22f.) die p. als erste Chorpartie, wobei die Bedeutung “Einzugslied” bzw. “-vortrag” (vgl. Aristot. eth. Nic. 1123 a23f.) mitklingt. Bei der Strukturanalyse sollte man sich jedoch nicht an starre, schematische Abgrenzungen halten, sondern die Konstruktion und Entwicklung der dramatischen Handlung (σύστασις τῶν πραγμάτων, ebd.) beachten. In der att. Tragödie kann die p. das Stück eröffnen …

Mnesilochos

(103 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(Μνησίλοχος). [English version] [1] s. Mnasilochos s. Mnasilochos Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [English version] [2] Schwiegervater des Euripides Schwiegervater des Euripides [1] aus dem Demos Phlya. Der Name der Tochter schwankt in der Überl. zw. Choirile und Melito. In der Hypothesis zu Aristophanes' ‘Thesmophoriazusen wird der kēdēstḗs (naher Verwandter) des Eupolis fälschlicherweise mit M. gleichgesetzt (auch in der Hs. R). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) Bibliography U. v. Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, Euripides, Herakles I 1895, 7. [English version] [3] zweiter S…

Philoxenides

(25 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Φιλοξενίδης) aus Oropos, Satyrspieldichter, nach 85 v.Chr. an den Amphiaraia und Romaia in Oropos erfolgreich (TrGF I 170). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Exodos

(256 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ἔχοδος, allg. “Auszug”, “Ende”). Nach Aristot. poet. 1452b 21f. ist die E. der Teil einer Tragödie, auf den kein Chorlied (Stasimon) mehr folgt (Schlußakt). Von dieser weitgefaßten Definition wird man sinnvollerweise E. im engeren Sinne als den Auszug des Chores am Ende eines Dramas unterscheiden (vgl. Aristoph. Vesp. 582). Die häufigste Form in der Tragödie ist der “Ecce-Schluß”: Die Tat und der Täter werden in einer pathosgeladenen Schlußszene präsentiert (zunächst zumeist ind…

Morychos

(20 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] Tragiker des ausgehenden 5. Jh.v.Chr., nach Aristophanes-Scholien wegen seiner Schlemmerei bekannt (TrGF I 30 T 1-3). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Kritias

(355 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Κριτίας) aus Athen, geb. um 460 v.Chr., entstammte einer alten att. Adelsfamilie, mütterlicherseits war er Onkel von Platon. Wie Alkibiades [3] gehörte er dem Kreis um Sokrates an. Polit. zählte er zu den antidemokratischen Kräften: 415 wurde er der Teilnahme am Hermokopidenfrevel bezichtigt, 411 war er Mitglied im oligarchischen Rat der 400 (Tetrakosioi). Nach der demokratischen Restauration hielt er sich bis 404 in Thessalien auf, nach der athenischen Niederlage 404 war er ein…

Polychares

(27 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Πολυχάρης). Dichter des beginnenden 4. Jh. v. Chr. Ob er Tragiker oder Dithyrambiker war, ist nicht zu entscheiden (DID B 6). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Pharadas

(26 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Φαράδας) aus Athen; nach 85 v.Chr. in Thespiai (Boiotien) mit einem Satyrspiel an den Museia erfolgreich (TrGF I 173). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Philikos

(103 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Φίλικος) von Kerkyra (Korfu). Dichter und Tragiker, Dionysospriester in Alexandreia z.Z. Ptolemaios' II. Philadelphos (285-246 v.Chr.). Mitglied der Pleias, oft mit Philiskos [4] von Aigina (TrGF I 89) verwechselt (TrGF I 104 T1, T4). Von den ihm zugeschriebenen 24 Tragödien ist nichts erhalten. Von einem Demeter-Hymnos in stichischen katalektischen choriambischen Hexametern ist eine große Partie überl. (SH 676-680), in der Demeter über den Verlust der Tochter mit der Aussicht a…

Peripetie

(185 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ἡ περιπέτεια). Wörtl. “Umschwung”, “Umkehrung” der Situation, zumeist des Schicksals, häufig unerwartet und in der Regel vom Guten zum Schlechten (z.B. Aristot. rhet. 1371b 10). Zentral ist der Begriff in der ‘Poetik des Aristoteles (poet. 11,1452a 22-29), wo P. als der Umschlag dessen, was erreicht werden sollte, in sein Gegenteil definiert wird, wobei dies nach Wahrscheinlichkeit (κατὰ τὸ εἰκός) oder Notwendigkeit (κατὰ τὸ ἀναγκαῖον) geschehen müsse. P. ist zusammen mit der Anagnorisis ein Charakteristikum von komplexen Handlungsstrukturen ( plots; μῦθο…

Botenszenen

(540 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] Längere Rhesis im Drama, in der den anderen Personen oder dem Chor hinter- oder außerszenische, vor oder während der dramatischen Handlung geschehene Ereignisse, die nach den Möglichkeiten oder Konventionen des att. Theaters nicht darstellbar sind, mitgeteilt werden. Diese nach allen Mitteln der Rhet. ausgestatteten Berichte werden entweder von einer Haupt- oder Nebenfigur (Eur. Heraclid. 389ff; Soph. El. 680ff.), sehr häufig jedoch von eigens zu diesem Zweck eingeführten, namenl…

Katharsis

(572 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ἡ κάθαρσις). Allg. bedeutet K., abgeleitet von καθαίρειν ( kathaírein, “reinigen”), jede Art von Reinigung und Beseitigung von sichtbarer (Schmutz) wie unsichtbarer Unreinheit (rel. Besudelung: míasma, vgl. Hdt. 1,35; Aristot. poet. 17,1455b 15). In der 2. H. des 5. Jh.v.Chr. wurde der Begriff als med. t.t. für die Entfernung von schädlichen Stoffen aus dem menschlichen Körper oder der Seele verwendet (LSJ, s.v. κ. II). Die kult.-rituelle und med.-psychologische Bed. fließen zusammen in dem in der Forsch. seit …

Polyphrasmon

(59 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Πολυφράσμων). Sohn des Phrynichos [1], Tragiker, 1. Sieg zw. 482 und 471 (DID A 3a, 13), an den Dionysien des Jahres 471 erfolgreich (DID A 1, 22). 467 belegte er hinter Aischylos [1], der mit seiner thebanischen Trilogie siegte, und Pratinas' Sohn Aristias [2] mit seiner ‘Lykurgie den 3. Platz (TrGF I 7). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Choregie

(192 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ἡ χορηγία). Amt des Choregen; seit ca. 500 v.Chr. Sonderform einer Leiturgie in Athen. Die Ch. wurde vom zuständigen Archon wohlhabenden Bürgern auferlegt, wobei diese Art der Leiturgie von jungen Adligen gern benutzt wurde, um polit. Ansehen zu erwerben (472 war Perikles Chorege für Aischylos' ‘Perser; vgl. auch Thuk. 6,16,3 zu Alkibiades). Die polit. Bed. der Ch. wird vor allem im Dithyrambenagon deutlich, wo in den Inschr. nicht der Dichter, sondern der Chorege gen. wird (Did…

Phanostratos

(25 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Φανόστρατος) aus Halikarnassos. Tragiker, 306 v.Chr. verm. an den att. Lenäen erfolgreich. TrGF I 94 = DID B7. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Pratinas

(722 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Πρατίνας) aus Phleius (Peloponnes), nach der Suda π 2230 (TrGF I 4 T 1) “Erfinder” des Satyrspiels; Sohn eines Pyrrhonides oder Enkomios (sprechende Namen: Sohn des “Rothaars” bzw. des “Mitglieds eines - dionysischen - Komos”; zu den roten Haaren und Bärten von Satyrn vgl. Dioskorides, Anth. Pal. 7,707,3 oder Soph. Ichn. 358). Zwei Lebensdaten sind bezeugt: 499/496 trat er im tragischen Agon gegen Aischylos [1] und Choirilos [2] an (T 1). Das J. 467 ist terminus ante quem für seinen Tod, da in diesem J. sein Sohn Aristias [2] mit Stücken des P. (‘Perseus…

Monodie

(322 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (μονῳδία). M. und das Verb μονῳδεῖν ( monōideín) finden sich bereits im 5. Jh.v.Chr. als t.t. zur Bezeichnung von Solo-Arien von Schauspielern im Drama (Aristoph. Pax 1012; Aristoph. Thesm. 1077; Aristoph. Ran. 849; 944; 1330). Gelegentlich findet sich eine Gleichsetzung mit Threnos, da ein auffallender Bestandteil der Arien, die Klage (vgl. Aristoph. Vesp. 317-323), auf das gesamte Strukturelement übertragen wurde, wie dies auch bei Wechselgesängen (Kommos [2], Amoibaion) der Fall ist. M. sin…

Hypothesis

(437 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(ὑπόθεσις). Einleitung, Inhaltsangabe. [English version] A. Literaturhistorisch Für die Trag. kann man drei Typen unterscheiden: 1. die in peripatetischer Tradition (Dikaiarchos fr. 78 Wehrli) stehenden hypothéseis des Aristophanes [4] von Byzanz; sie enthalten eine knappe Inhaltsangabe, verweisen auf die Behandlung desselben Stoffes bei einem anderen Tragiker, benennen den Schauplatz, die Identität des Chors und den Prologsprecher und geben weitere Informationen zur Aufführung (Datierung, Titel der anderen gleichzeiti…

Pythangelos

(19 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (Πυθάγγελος). Nur in Aristoph. Ran. 87 erwähnter Tragiker des 5. Jh. v. Chr. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)

Anagnorisis

(524 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (auch Anagnorismos, ἡ ἀναγνώρισις, ὁ ἀναγνωρισμός). Nach Aristot. poet. 11,1452a-b ist die A. der t.t. für die “Wiedererkennung” im Drama. Aristoteles definiert A. als Umschlag von Nichtwissen in Wissen mit der Wirkung, daß Freundschaft in Feindschaft umschlägt und umgekehrt. Dramatisch am wirkungsvollsten ist die A., die zugleich mit der Peripeteia eintritt. Aristoteles unterscheidet drei Spielarten der A. im Hinblick auf das Objekt: die Wiederkennung von Personen, von leblosen Gegenständen und davon, ob man etwas getan hat oder…

Prolog

(991 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
(ὁ πρόλογος, lat. prologus, prologium). [English version] A. Begriff In der Aufzählung der einzelnen Bauteile (μέρη, mérē) der Tragödie in der ‘Poetik definiert Aristoteles p. als ganzen Abschnitt einer Trag. vor der párodos des Chores (Aristot. poet. 13,1452b 22 f.) [9. 471 f.]. Der Begriff p. wird jedoch schon vor Aristoteles im technischen Sinne verwendet: Aristophanes bezeichnet in den ‘Fröschen den p. als ‘ersten Teil einer Trag.’ (Aristoph. Ran. 1120: τὸ πρῶτον τῆς τραγῳδίας μέρος), womit allerdings auch nur die Eröffnungsverse bzw. die einleitende rhḗsis

Euripides (Εὐριπίδης).

(4,024 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] [1] der att. Tragiker, 5. Jh. v. Chr. Der attische Tragiker. Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg) [English version] A. Biographie Wichtigste Zeugnisse sind die in mehreren Hss. überlieferte Vita, das Marmor Parium, die Suda, Gell. 15,20 und die Vita des Satyros. Nur wenige Daten aus dem Leben des E. können als gesichert gelten: Geb. zw. 485 und 480 v.Chr. auf Salamis, Sohn eines Mnesarchos oder Mnesarchides. An den Großen Dionysien nahm er zum ersten Mal 455 teil, den ersten Sieg errang er 441. Nur vie…

Intrige

(187 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (τὸ μηχάνημα, τὸ τέχνημα, mēchánēma, téchnēma). Bereits Hom. Od., B. 19-24 weist die enge Verbindung von Wiedererkennungsszenen (Anagnorisis) und I. auf, wie sie für die att. Trag. charakteristisch ist. Locus classicus ist Aischyl. Choeph. Bei Euripides fehlt in fast keinem Stück die I., so daß ihn Aristoph. Thesm. 94 zu Recht “Meister des Intrigenspiels” nennen kann. Vor allem im Spätwerk konzipiert Euripides Anagnorisis-I.-Dramen: Nach der Wiedererkennung wird die Rettung durch eine I. bewerkstelligt (z.B. Eur. Iph. T. 1017ff.; Eur. Hel. 1034ff.). Im Ion fin…

Rhesis

(413 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ἡ ῥῆσις), allg. “Rede” (Hom. Od. 21,291). Bereits im 5. Jh. v. Chr. t.t. für eine Rede im Drama, bes. in der Tragödie (zum Begriff vgl. Aristoph. Ach. 416, Nub. 1371, Vesp. 580, Ran. 151; Aristot. poet. 1454a 31, 1456a 31). Der Umfang einer rh. reicht von ca. 7 bis über 100 V. (Eur. Ion 1122-1228, Phoen. 1090-1199, Bacch. 1043-1152). Die wichtigste Funktion von rhḗseis im Handlungszusammenhang besteht in der Informationsvergabe. In der Prolog- rh. werden häufig von einem Gott die für die Handlung wichtigen Voraussetzungen dargelegt (Eur. Ion 1-81; Me…

Dithyrambos

(931 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] (ὁ διθύραμβος). Chorlied zu Ehren des Dionysos. Über Herkunft und Bed. des Namens wird seit der Ant. spekuliert. Das Wort ist sicher eine nichtgriech., vielleicht phryg. Bildung; am wahrscheinlichsten dürfte die Rückführung auf íambos (ἴαμβος; Zweischritt) und ( thríambos (θρίαμβος; Dreischritt) sein [1]. In einer umstrittenen Passage der Poetica (4,1449a 10-13Aristot. poet. 4,1449a 10-13) bringt Aristoteles den D. als Vorstufe in einen genetischen Zusammenhang mit der Trag. (oder nach anderer Deutung [2] mit der Komödie). In der Gesch. der Gattung lass…

Mesatos

(20 words)

Author(s): Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
[English version] Griech. Tragiker, mehrfach nach 468 v.Chr. an den Dionysien erfolgreich (TrGF I 11). Zimmermann, Bernhard (Freiburg)
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