I DECRETI ESPOSTI NEI TEATRI DEI DEMI ATTICI

Abstract

The significance of theatrical buildings must be analysed with an understanding of the various
political, civic and religious functions which typified theatres in Greek society. This
aspect, particularly renowned for the theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus in Athens – periodically
used both for theatrical performances and for political assemblies –, is distinguishable
also for the deme theatres, which, though smaller and marginal in comparison with the
Athenian one, have always been closely linked to the latter and analogously characterized
by a peculiar multifunctional nature. Their political role as centres of the civic and religious
life of the demes, documented by archaeological and written sources, is here examined in
the light of the decrees originally displayed near the theatrical building: indeed, a significant
number of surviving decrees – identified on the basis of the excavation data and of the
analysis of their content and here catalogued deme by deme with an appreciation to their
proper political and historical context – consents to investigate from an epigraphical perspective
the ideological, socio-cultural and political importance of the local theatres and their
value as appropriate places chosen for the publication of official documents.