#sicyon

Matthew C. Wellenbach

From the journal Trends in Classics

https://doi.org/10.1515/tc-2016-0002

Abstract:

A well-known passage in Herodotus’ Histories – about “tragic choruses” that took place in sixth-century Sicyon – contains the only explicit reference to tragedy in the historian’s work and also one of the earliest references to tragedy in the surviving literary record from ancient Greece. The reference and its surrounding context, often analyzed for what they reveal about the early history of tragedy and sixth-century Sicyonian musical culture, also provide insights into contemporary attitudes to tragedy in the fifth century. Herodotus offers here a particular conceptualization of fifth-century tragedy as a performance that was conducted in honor of Dionysus and whose content consisted of stories of suffering, or pathos.”

https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/tc-2016-0002/html?lang=en

Dr. Matthew Wellenbach Brown University - PhD

With the Greek authorities’ recent announcement that they were making these sites more accessible to the public, increased attention has been drawn to the Peloponnese’s ancient theaters at Messene and Sicyon, which were centers for drama and culture in both ancient times and during the Roman period of Greek history.

The Hellenistic theatre at Sicyon (present-day Kiato) was built between 303 and 251 BC, but was renovated and altered at least twice by the Romans. The scene building was expanded in the first century and the stage was altered in the late Roman period. With a seating area estimated at 122 meters (400 feet) wide and 58 meters (190 feet) deep, it is one of the largest theaters in the Peloponnese.

The present day ruins at Sicyon are a faint reminder of the Romanized theatre the historian Pausanias visited in the second century AD.

Not the ancient theater trip back in 2008, but ancient theater nonetheless:

Back in 2008 we also visited the ancient theater of Corinth, the theater of Dionysus in Athens, the ancient theater at Delphi and the ancient theater of Sicyon that is pictured above. I lost the photography from the trip, but I had the chance to visit Sicyon a few years ago. The theater is closed because they are still excavating it, but what catches the eye are the two vomitoria (the tunnel-like entrances), features of roman period theaters.

And here is a view from the theater to the sea. At the left, the dark hill against the lighter mountain of the background is Perachora, where Heraion is.

Greek Stater from Sikyon, Peloponnessos, c. 350-330 BC

Obverse: Chimera advancing left, right paw raised, SE below, wreath above. Reverse: Dove flying left, N below beak; all within laurel wreath.

Numismatically, Sikyon (Sicyon) was the most productive city of Peloponnese. Its coinage appeared in the beginning of 5th century BC and greatly increased at 400 BC. Their high production continued till the times of the Roman conquest in 146 BC. On their coins they usually use the symbol of the Dove, a symbol of spirit and the Chimaera, the fire-breathing mythological monster which was killed by the hero Bellerophon and Apollo, the chief deity of the city.

Stater from Sikyon, Peloponnesos c. 340-330 BC

On the obverse, a chimera prowls left. On the reverse, a dove flies left within an olive wreath.

Numismatically, Sikyon (Sicyon) was the most productive city of Peloponnese. Its coinage appeared in the beginning of 5th century BC and greatly increased at 400 BC. Their high production continued till the times of the Roman conquest in 146 BC. On their coins they usually use the symbol of the Dove, a symbol of spirit and the Chimaera, the fire-breathing mythological monster which was killed by the hero Bellerophon and Apollo, the chief deity of the city.