Key Terms for the Context and Performance of Greek Tragedy
by Robin Mitchell-Boyask, Temple University
Great Dionysia=City Dionysia: annual spring festival in honor of Dionysus, when dramatic competitions were held among three poets selected by the city
Theater of Dionysus: performance site of drama in Athens on the south slope of the acropolis (see below) ; part of shrine to this god
polis: the ancient Greek word for "city-state"; the primary political organization
oikos: the family unit, including its physical property; its needs are often in tension with the polis
Acropolis: "the high city"; most famous part of Athens; theater on its south slope
Chorus: group of 12-15 men who sing and dance during the plays. They often represent the collective community, but not necessarily the poet's thoughts .
choryphaeus: chorus leader; steps forward to speak with the actors
stichomythia: a debate where characters trade single-line responses, characteristic of Greek drama
dithyramb: choral hymn to Dionysus; tragedy grew partly from this type of poetry
Thespis: the semi-legendary founder of tragedy during the sixth century B.C.E.
Pisistratus: tyrant who founded the tragic festival during the sixth century B.C.E.
Cleisthenes: founder of Greek democracy 2500 years ago
Chorêgoi: wealthy citizens who were "asked"to fund the chorus
Proagon: a ceremony before the tragic festival; the playwright and actors would stand in costume before an assembly in the Odeion and announce the subjects of his plays
Odeion: a roofed building adjacent to the Theater of Dionysus, constructed by Pericles
Agora: the equivalent of the town square; a marketplace; first performances of drama here
skênê: pronounced "skaynay"; building or tent at back of acting area; often painted for scenery
orchêstra: the dancing area, located in front of the stage; chorus occupies this space
eisoidoi: "entrances" to performance space; the opposite of an eisodos is an exodos
ekkyklêma: a cart inside the skênê which could be suddenly rolled out to display the result of an event inside;e.g. the murder of Agamemnon
mêchanê: a crane used to lift actors on a platform above the acting area; usually actors are playing gods here, hence the phrase deus ex machina ("god from the crane")
agon: in general, "competition"; specifically, the debate in a drama
parodos: the first ode the chorus sings as it enters the orchestra
stasimon: any choral ode sung subsequent to the parodos