Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, Athens Greece, 334 BC

Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, Athens

The Theater of Dionysus is the birthplace of European theater as famous Greek tragedies and comedies were performed there as early as 534 BC. The theater of Dionysus contained seating constructed of wood and clay around the orchestra which was a rectangular area. Many Greek writers premiered their works at this theater during an annual theater festival known as Dionysia, named after the god Dionysus. In these competitions, plays were opposed against each other. The performances were sponsored by wealthy patrons of the arts who received a trophy as a reward for contributing to the theater performances. In 334 BC, Lysicrates received a trophy as his prize and as was customary, he built a monument for the trophy to be placed upon in 334 BC.  

Sketch of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates

The monument has a 9.5 foot square foundation that is 13 feet high and is topped by a circular edifice that is 21 feet high. On top of the edifice can be found a tholos, circular structure supported by six Corinthian columns that is covered with a marble roof. All of this is made of Pentelic marble. Just below the marble roof can be seen a frieze. In careful detail, scenes from the play that must have won the competition are depicted. It shows Dionysus defeating Tyrrhenian pirates by turning them into dolphins. 3

Plan of the monument

Frieze on the column

The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates is one of the first Greek monuments built according to the Corinthian order which is why it might still hold so much importance today. Whereas it once held the bronze trophy, it now stands on its own in a small garden on Tripodon Street, located not far from the Theater of Dionysus. In 1669, the monument and surrounding area were perched by a French Capuchin monastery. However, the monastery was demolished during the Greek war of Independence of 1821. Later, in 1976-1887, architects Francois Boulanger and E. Loviot supervised a restoration under the auspices of the French Government. Even though it wass restored, the column capitals have been eroded greatly and the delicacy it had is not present anymore. 1

Merchant's Exchange in Philadelphia

This choragic monument has influenced other cultures so much that there are other versions of it which include the Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill in the United Kingdom and another can be found in the Botanic Gardens of Sydney Australia. This choragic monument of Lysicrates became a popular symbol of ancient Greek culture in the west too as it has been used as a model in buildings such as the Merchant’s Exchange in Philadelphia. 2

Works Cited

1 Loth, Calder. "CLASSICAL COMMENTS: THE CORINTHIAN OF THE CHORAGIC MONUMENT OF LYSICRATES | Classicist Blog." Classicist Blog. N.p., 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

2 "Lysicrates Monument in Athens - Greeka.com." Greeka. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

3 Herbert F. De Cou, "The Frieze of the Choragic Monument of Lysikrates at Athens", The American Journal of Archaeology and of the History of the Fine Arts, 8. 1 (January - March 1893):42-55) summarizes the history