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Ancient Performance

Telepheia

APGRD id
34
Year
380 BC
Medium of performance
Fully Staged Play
People involved
Known from
APGRD Notes
We know of this performance from an inscription on a statue base found in Palaiochori, but most likely belonging to the theatre of Aexone (Attica). It therefore seems likely that the inscription commemorates performances which took place in this theatre as part of the rural Dionysia. When these performances took place is open to question. If the inscription may be dated to 380 BC, then does it record revivals which took place in the 4th century? Or is it a later commemoration of 5th-century performances? The dating here follows Snell (TrGF1, DID B 5, p. 39). The title 'Telepheia' recorded in the inscription seems to refer to a triology of plays written by Sophocles around the theme of Telephus' story. It is disputed which plays might have been included in this trilogy; possible candidates are: Aleadai, Mysians, Telephus, Assembly of the Achaeans, Eurypylus. (see discussion in TrGF 4, p. 163, 434).