In the vicinity of Plaka, a few steps from the Acropolis Museum, is the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. This monument was erected by the Choragic Lysicrates in memory of the award of the first prize in 335/334 BC to one of the performances he sponsored. The word "choragic" in Greek means "sponsor".
Choragic was a very important title for ancient Athenians. The Choragic actually sponsored the costs and preparation of dramatic and musical performances during the festivals in Athens. When the costs were not covered by the state, the choragic was intended to pay for the costs of costumes, masks, rehearsal costs, stage painting, sound effects and in general all the costs associated with the performance.
The Choragic were wealthy Athenians and it was considered an honor to take on this duty. In fact, the prizes for drama at festival competitions in Athens were awarded jointly to the playwright and the choragic. To celebrate their victory, the Choreogians built monuments along the path leading to the Ancient Theater of Dionysus, located at the foot of the Acropolis, where dramatic festivals were held.
It was for this reason that the monument to Lysicrates was erected. This monument consists of a round statue and a high square podium. It is the first ancient monument of the Corinthian order in appearance and is made of marble from Mount Pentelicon. Its frieze depicts scenes from the life of the god Dionysus, in whose honor dramatic games were held. At its top was placed a bronze tripod - a prize awarded to the choregos for sponsoring the winning play in the dramatic games. Nowadays it is surrounded by a beautiful garden in the center of a small square.
In 1669, during the Ottoman rule, a Capuchin monk bought the monument and added it to the library of the monastery in which he lived. The fact that the monument was the property of the Capuchins at the time prevented it from being taken by Lord Elgin, a diplomat who removed parts of the Parthenon frieze, the caryatids from the Erechtheion, and other parts of the temples on the Acropolis.
During the Greek War of Independence, the monastery was burned down and the monument damaged. Later, the French government repaired it, as it was considered the property of the country. However, the French gave up ownership, taking the land of the French Institute in exchange.
Next to the monument are two small obelisks. They commemorate the monks who saved the monument in 1669 and the French restorers who worked in 1845 and 1892. On the right is an inscription in Greek, on the left - in French.
Choragic was a very important title for ancient Athenians. The Choragic actually sponsored the costs and preparation of dramatic and musical performances during the festivals in Athens. When the costs were not covered by the state, the choragic was intended to pay for the costs of costumes, masks, rehearsal costs, stage painting, sound effects and in general all the costs associated with the performance.
The Choragic were wealthy Athenians and it was considered an honor to take on this duty. In fact, the prizes for drama at festival competitions in Athens were awarded jointly to the playwright and the choragic. To celebrate their victory, the Choreogians built monuments along the path leading to the Ancient Theater of Dionysus, located at the foot of the Acropolis, where dramatic festivals were held.
It was for this reason that the monument to Lysicrates was erected. This monument consists of a round statue and a high square podium. It is the first ancient monument of the Corinthian order in appearance and is made of marble from Mount Pentelicon. Its frieze depicts scenes from the life of the god Dionysus, in whose honor dramatic games were held. At its top was placed a bronze tripod - a prize awarded to the choregos for sponsoring the winning play in the dramatic games. Nowadays it is surrounded by a beautiful garden in the center of a small square.
In 1669, during the Ottoman rule, a Capuchin monk bought the monument and added it to the library of the monastery in which he lived. The fact that the monument was the property of the Capuchins at the time prevented it from being taken by Lord Elgin, a diplomat who removed parts of the Parthenon frieze, the caryatids from the Erechtheion, and other parts of the temples on the Acropolis.
During the Greek War of Independence, the monastery was burned down and the monument damaged. Later, the French government repaired it, as it was considered the property of the country. However, the French gave up ownership, taking the land of the French Institute in exchange.
Next to the monument are two small obelisks. They commemorate the monks who saved the monument in 1669 and the French restorers who worked in 1845 and 1892. On the right is an inscription in Greek, on the left - in French.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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