It is a cold day and the crowd are restless. They have sat through two comedies of dubious quality. Even through their cushions they can feel the cold of the marble reaching for their posteriors. The weak sun has been falling to the west for a few hours. Since the start of the war there has been precious little to laugh about and even at this festival there are just the three performance, rather than the usual five. Despite the discomfort the audience stay in place awaiting Aristophanes, the returning champion. Last year had been a triumph and there are rumours circulating around the tavernas that he has something even more spectacular for this year.

Aristophanes. Adapted from this site.

There were two major festivals with drama in ancient Athens. The City Dionysia was held the tenth day of Elaphebolion, roughly around the end of March, with tragedies following over the next three days and then a day of comedy before the winners of the competitions were announced. This festival would have coincided with the start of the sailing season and so, while it was a festival for the Athenians, foreigners would have been present as Aristophanes found out. His play the More >