Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/231

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The Repulse of Persia mid the Athenian Empire 185 and not of these alone but of the humblest artizan and tradesman. All classes alike partici- pated in the public festivals which were con- ducted by the State every six or seven days. The great Pan-Athenaic festival, which occurred every four years, gath- ered all the people in stately processions and splendid games, bring- ing into their lives the memories of a heroic past and the imposing honors paid to the great gods who sheltered and protected the Athenian State. The wealthy citi- zens themselves paid the expenses of compet- ing choruses, and each successful competitor proudly erected a grace- ful monument of victory (Fig. 90) in a street es- pecially reserved for such memorials. These choruses were made up of the men and boys of Athens. The citizen thus found music, the drama, art and architecture, Fig. 90. Monument commemorat- ing THE Triumph of an Athenian Citizen in Music An entire street of Athens was filled with such monuments (p. 185). We learn the name of the citizen, Lysicrates, who erected this beautiful monument, from the inscription it still bears, which reads: " Lysicrates . . . was choragus [leader of the chorus] when the boy-chorus of the tribe of Akamantis won the prize ; Theon was flute-player, Lysiades of Athens trained the choir. Euaenetus was archon." The archon's name dates the erection of the monument for us in 335 to 334 B.C. Beyond the monument we look westward to the back of the Acropolis (see plan, p. 173)