SOURCE: Haigh, A. E. “Dramatic Contests at Athens.” In The Attic Theatre: A Description of the Stage and Theatre of the Athenians, and of the Dramatic Performances at Athens, pp. 1-36. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1889.

In the following excerpt, Haigh describes the festivals celebrating Dionysus, particularly their drama contests.

Dramatic Contests at Athens.

1. General Characteristics of the Attic Drama.

The ancient Athenian drama was in many respects unlike any kind of dramatic performance that we are accustomed to in modern times. The difference extended not only to the character of the plays themselves, and the manner in which they were presented upon the stage, but also to the circumstances under which the production took place. In order to form an accurate conception of the external features of the old Greek drama it will be necessary to dismiss from the mind many of the associations with which the...