sing the dithyramb, the beautiful strain of Dionysus[1]": from which
expressions it is probable that in the time of Archilochus, one of a
band of revellers sometimes sang the dithyramb, while the others
joined him with their voices. There is, however, no trace of a choral
performance of the dithyramb at this time. Choruses had been already
introduced in Greece, but in connexion with the worship of Apollo, and
they danced to the cithara ((
Greek characters)), the instrument used in this
worship. In the worship of Dionysus, on the other hand, an irregular
band of revellers, led by a flute-plajer, was the prominent feature[2].
Arion, according to the concurrent testimonies of the historians and
grammarians of antiquity, was the first who practised a chorus in
the representation of a dithyramb, and therefore gave a regular and
dignified character to this song, which before had probably consisted of
irregular expressions of excited feeling, and of inarticulate ejaculations. This improvement was made at Corinth, the rich and flourishing city of Periander; hence Pindar in bis eulogy of Corinth exclaims:
"Whence, but from Corinth, arose the pleasing festivals of Dionysus,
with the dithyramb, of which the prize is an ox[2]?" The choruses
which sang the dithyramb were circular choruses ((Greek characters)) so
called, because they danced in a circle round the altar on which the
sacrifice was burning. Accordingly, in the time of Aristophanes, the
expressions "dithyrambic poet," and "teacher of cyclian choruses"
((Greek characters)), were nearly synonymous[3]. With regard to the
subjects of the dithyrambs of Arion we know nothing, except that he
introduced the tragic style into them[4]. This proves that he had distinguished a choral song of a gloomy character, which referred to the
dangers and sufferings of Dionysus, from the ordinary dithyramb of
the joyous kind ; as will be shown in a subsequent chapter[5]. With
regard to the musical accompaniment of the dithyrambs of Arion, it
may be remarked, that the cithara was the principal instrument used
in it, and not the flute, as in the boisterous comus. Arion was himself
the first cithara-player of his time : and the exclusive fame of the Lesbian musicians from Terpander downwards was maintained by him
- ↑ See ch. iii. § 5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pind. Ol. xiii. 18. (25.), where the recent editors give a full and accurate explanation of the matter.
- ↑ Hence Arion is said to have been the son of Cycleus.
- ↑ (
Greek characters) Suidas in (Greek characters). Concerning the satyrs whom Arion is said to have used on this occasion, see below, chap. xxi.
- ↑ Chap. xxi. The finest specimen of a dithyramb of the joyful kind is the fragment of a dithyramb by Pindar, in Dion. Hal. de Comp. Verb. 22. This dithyramb was intended for the great Dionysia ((Greek characters) or (Greek characters)), which are described in it as a great vernal festival, at the season "when the chamber of the Hours opens, and the nectarian plants feel the approach of the fragrant spring."
Greek characters)ap. Athen. xiv. p. G28.
