Athenian Drama

This essay discusses the ancient testimony claiming that the Athenians decreed a second performance of Aristophanes’ Frogs shortly after its original performance in 405 BC. These testimonia have suggested that the Athenians granted Aristophanes this honor because they especially admired the political message
of the play’s parabasis. Some scholars in the nineteenth century questioned this explanation, since the play as a whole itself is more focused on aesthetics than politics, though their skepticism was largely silenced in the twentieth century. This study revisits the question, arguing that skepticism about some details of the testimonia is justified, and suggesting other explanations for a second performance that rely more on contemporary performance culture and aesthetics than politics.

teaching and excellent knowledge of the area have significantly enriched our understanding of Classical Athens. Therefore, an honorary volume largely from his students, all well-known scholars, is an appropriate token of their recognition of his work. The book contains fourteen studies with a wide range of topics concerning topography, architecture, epigraphy, religion and cults, sculpture, ceramics, iconography, trade, and Athenian drama.