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Ancient Performance

Astragalistai (Knucklebone players)

APGRD id
484
Year
between 285 and 246 BC
Genres
Tragedy
Languages
Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
People involved
APGRD Notes
The date of the performance of this play is not known. Alexander (of Pleuron, Aetolia) was certainly operating in the 3rd century BC. He is listed amongst the tragic Pleiad (see TrGF1, Cat A 5, p.54-5). There is also evidence to suggest that he was living at Alexandria under Ptolemy II Philadelpus (ruled 285-246 BC), who apparently entrusted him with the correction of the copies of the tragedies and satyr plays held in the Library (see Tzetzes 'p' comoid.). Ptolemy's death therefore offers the end point of the date range for performance given here. The performance venue for this tragedy is not known, Alexandria is offered here on the basis of conjecture.