Lycurgus and the state text of tragedy

Abstract

This chapter explores the famous establishment by Lycurgus of state texts of the three great tragedians in an attempt to enrich the understanding of what written texts signified. It examines the performance of tragedy in the late fourth century and the special place of Aeschylus, the uses of tragedy by the orators, histrionic interpolation, the tragedian Astydamas, and the program of Lycurgus. The chapter examines the performance of tragedy in the late fourth century and the special place of Aeschylus, the uses of tragedy by the orators, histrionic interpolation, the tragedian Astydamas, and the program of Lycurgus. It argues that while Lycurgus may have sought to exert ownership of tragedy for the state rather than actors, his broader motive does not appear to have been control of the texts, but the institutionalization of tragedy as a unique cultural possession and source of education for the Athenian state. Keywords: Athenian state; Lycurgus; place of Aeschylus; state texts; tragedian Astydamas

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