Magna Graecia: Titanomachia (A City State Quest)

[NuclearConsensus]

I, Timanthes son of Thymoetes, am greatly honored by the attention that my fellow citizens have lavished upon my tale. Thus, it is with great pleasure that I present to you all, the final draft of:

The Reconciliation of Zeus and Hera
​

Zeus, tired of Hera's nagging, once more leaves Olympus for the mortal lands to seek another lover. He has not yet even begun his search, however, when he hears a clamor coming from Olympus. Thus he turns back, in order to find out the source of the commotion.

Upon returning to Olympus, Zeus finds that the realm of the gods has descended into chaos, half-revelry and half-battle. Aghast, Zeus seeks out Hestia for even a semblance of an explanation for the madness. Hestia says that Hera, who keeps order in Olympus when Zeus is absent as Queen of the Gods, has gone away to a destination unknown. After restoring order to his household, Zeus commands all the other Olympians to go out in search of his missing wife.

It is Artemis who finds her, hidden in a cave in Italy, close to where Furthest Eretria was founded. She tells Zeus that Hera refuses to leave the cave for any reason but would not tell Artemis why. Hearing this, all the gods begin a competition to draw Hera from her cave, having experienced the disorder that comes from her absence. None of their methods work, however. When everyone else has had their turn, Hestia speaks to Zeus of a plan she devised. Zeus, in disguise as Hestia and wearing her shawl, will enter the cave and attempt to speak with Hera and discover why she has secluded herself. However, for the disguise to work, Zeus must shave off his beard. Zeus agrees to the plan and shaves his beard, saying "What are a few paltry hairs to me, compared to the favor of my wife?"

Inside, Zeus finds Hera, alone and miserable. Prompted by Zeus under the guise of Hestia, Hera laments how all her brothers and sisters are in happy marriages, while she, the very goddess of marriage, languishes in her "union" with her boorish husband. Moved, Zeus tells his wife of the chaos that ensued in Olympus following her absence, noting that she is not only the goddess of marriage, but also Queen of the Gods. Her place will always be above her subjects, and beside her king. With that, Zeus sheds his disguise. Hera is taken by surprise at this revelation, and doubts the truth in his words. Zeus assures her that all he said is true, and that what he will say next is also true: no longer will Cronides search for another bride, not when the queen of brides is his. They share a happy moment.

Finally convinced, Hera leaves the cave hand-in-hand with Zeus. Together, they revel and admire the gods' handiwork in attempting to bring her out. In their first act as a strengthened couple, Zeus and Hera bless the cave and the fields and mountains that surround it with much bounty before departing with the other gods back to Olympus.
​

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I like it. Refine it a bit to something you're happy with and I'll threadmark it as a sidestory and incorporate it in the next update.

Click to shrink...

Here you go, Cetashwayo.

Okay, that definitely feels like something that Eretria might spin up, with how relentlessly romantic the city happens to be.

Click to shrink...

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[Cavalier]

The following offered by Alexis, son of Kallias, to the Festival of the Divine Marriage in honor of Apollon and Athena. With prayers and sacrifice to Dionysios for the success of the enterprise.

Spoiler: Italus; a Play of the Origin of Italia

Players
Penelope, wife of Telegonos and widow of Odysseus
Italus, son of Telegonos and Penelope
Harpalus, a barbaroi shepherd
Ausetes, a barbaroi chieftain
Foenus, brother to Ausetes
A female slave
A messenger
Athena
Apollon
Artemis
Chorus, followers of Telegonos from Ithaca

Prologos
A bare stage:
Penelope laments the decision of her son Telemachus to banish his half-brothers from the island of Circe. This is done at the command of Zeus, who will not allow the mortal Italus and his brothers to remain among immortals. As she sings of her many sorrows Athena appears and bids to take comfort. She has not forgotten her patronage of Odysseus and his family, and promises to bring Italus to fair lands and prosperity.

Act I
Stage arranged with trees:
Italus enters along with the Chorus, newly arrived to a barbarian land. He meets Harpalus tending sheep and asks of the nature of the land. The shepherd greets him as a stranger seeking hospitality and provides meat and wine for him. After the ceremonial meal, Harpalus explains his people are rustic shepherds, unlettered and unlearned of the gods. He hunted the boar that provided them meat but has no words to thank the divine for his fortune. Italus teaches him a prayer to Artemis and appraises him of the proper ways of sacrifice, as a gift for his hospitality. Harpalus then directs him to the nearest city, but warns that the King Ausetes there is a cruel and petty tyrant who has oppressed the local peoples.

Stasima
The Chorus confirms that Italus has been guided by Athena, who had often favored his grandfather. She has in mind a cunning plan to reconcile the siblings Apollon and Artemis, still divided by the death of Orion, by bringing the arts of civilization to ignorant barbarians. They assure the audience that everything that has happened and will happen is in accordance with the will of all-mighty Zeus, who has sent Italus into exile for a reason.

Act II
Stage arranged with a fake wall:
King Ausetes and his brother discuss the arrival of the Hellenes with the female slave in the background. Ausetes fear the foreigners and desires to march out to murder them right away. Foenus however counsels treachery, urging the King to invite Italus and his followers into the city and grant them hospitality before turning on them. Ausetes is swayed by his brother and agrees to the murder plot. Italus enters with the Chorus and Harpalus, to exchange xenia with Ausetes. The King orders that Italus and his men be given food and baths, and exits the stage with Italus and Foenus. The female slave then warns Harpalus of the plot to murder Italus and his followers.

Stasima
The Chorus relates the punishments of Ixion, Tantalus, and Paris for the breaking of xenia. By contrast they praise Baucis and Philomon for offering hospitality to the disguised Zeus and Hermes, despite their glamour of being poor sojourners. They also discuss and warn of the folly of mistreating slaves and dependents and warn that no one knows who may have divine protection.

Act III
Stage arranged with a fake wall:
Foenus and Ausetes discuss their planned ambush of the Hellenes, with Ausetes having second thoughts about betraying Italus after he has taken guest-privilege. His brother again sways him, saying that the Hellenes will threaten his hold on the tribes of the region by providing an example of free men. A messenger then arrives to report the failure of the attempt to kill Italus and his followers, who have fought their way out of the city. Foenus then turns on his brother and murders him to seize power. Italus and the Chorus arrive afterward at the walls of the city to parley and upbraid Ausetes for his treachery. Foenus declares his intent to exterminate the Hellenes and reveals he has allied himself with savage and godless tribes from the deep interior of the country. Italus swears revenge and promises to liberate the country from the grip of tyranny.

Stasima
The Chorus relates that a cowardly attempt to murder Italus by an archer shooting from ambush was thwarted by the intervention of Apollo, who deflected the arrow. Further that seeing the valor of the Hellenes and swayed by Harpalus, the tribes of the area have joined with the Hellene exiles to fight for their freedom. A decisive battle looms, and the Chorus confidently predicts that the Hellenes will be favored by the gods to punish Foenus and his people for their violations of divine law.

Act IV
Stage arranged with a fake wall:
Italus and Harpalus enter with the Chorus. Harpalus relates the defeat of Foenus and his men, and the subsequent retreat by the interior tribes into the city. They have burned the city and sacked and carried off its inhabitants. Foenus staggers in, mortally wounded, cursing his allies for their treachery. He surrenders to Italus and awards him control of the region before dying. Italus grants Harpalus and his tribe their freedom, and in exchange for the hospitality they have shown him will teach them agriculture, the rites of the gods, and civilized games and arts. Apollon descends to bless the arrangement and further settlement of Hellenes in the region which the god dubs Italia.

Exodus
Artemis and Apollon embrace as siblings, guided by Athena. Apollo prophecies the arrival of more Hellenes to Italia in even more desperate straits to win a greater glory. Artemis concedes to the development so long as the settlers do justice by the natives and respect her patronage of them. They exit with the players as the Chorus recites a hymn of praise to Zeus for allowing events to unfold as they have.

 

[Cavalier]

The following submitted by Alexis, son of Kallias Aristeides, to the theater competition of the festival of Apollon and Artemis in honor of the gods in year 353 of the Olympics. With prayers and sacrifices to Dionysios for the success of the enterprise.

Spoiler: The Death of Odysseus

Players
Circe, a demigod and Sorceress
Odysseus, King of Ithaca
Penelope, wife of Odysseus
Telegonus, son of Odysseus and Circe
Telemachus, son of Odysseus and Penelope
The Pythia, priestess of Apollon
Athena
Apollon
Chorus, citizens of Ithaca

Prologos
Stage arranged with trees:
Circe informs her son Telegonus of his true father, the hero of the Trojan War, Odysseus. She reveals that Odysseus has banished his other son Telemachus to the far side of Ithaca and charges Telegonus to seek out his father and claim his own inheritance. In aid she provides him a magical spear tipped with the spine of a venomous stingray. He exits, and Circe then laments that she has set into motion a tragedy under the orders of Apollon but that even as Helios' daughter she has no choice but to obey the will of the Olympians.

Act I
Stage arranged with trees:
Odysseus and the Chorus are on stage. The Chorus demands to know why Odysseus has banished his only son and heir, Telemachus, to Corcyra. Odysseus reluctantly relates the twin prophecies of his death. Tireseas in Hades predicted his death would be gentle and come from the sea, while the Oracle of Zeus at Dodona warned him that his son would bring his death. In order to avoid a kin-slaying, he has removed his son from Ithaca. The meeting is interrupted by Telegonus in his full war array, shouting a battle-cry, as the Chorus responds with alarm at the appearance of a feared raider from overseas. Odysseus and Telegonus struggle, and the former is stabbed with the magic spear before retreating off-stage and the latter then exits in triumph.

Stasima
The Chorus notes that matters in Ithaca have come to a head. The appearance of a heroic raider stealing sheep and cattle from the island followed shortly after the exile of Telemachus. They chide that had Odysseus trusted Telemachus he would have had the aid of his fearsome son in the battle. Instead, his family divided unjustly from within by petty jealousy and having attempted to thwart the always ambiguous prophecy of an Oracle, Odysseus has brought about his own doom.

Act II
Stage arranged with fake walls:
Odysseus lays mortally wounded in his halls, tended by Penelope and with Athena looking on. The Chorus stir over what will happen, as Telemachus enters the stage girt for war. He has heard of the doom of his father and has come to avenge him, despite the unjust exile he was put to. Odysseus apologizes and motions for his son to embrace him. Then the Chorus stirs as Telegonus enters, having taken off his helmet. As Telemachus rises to battle Athena manifests herself and calls a halt. She explains that Telegonus is the son of Odysseus with Circe, and Odysseus has a moment of recognition before telling Telemachus not to add to the legacy of kin-slaying and passing peacefully from the poison of the spear. A distraught Telegonus is prevented from suicide by the goddess, who instead directs the family of Odysseus to the shrine of Apollo at Delphi for ritual purification.

Stasima
The Chorus laments the ironic turn of fate, for all the prophecies of the death of Odysseus have been fulfilled. He has died at peace, his death having come from the sea and at the hands of his son. Just as Odysseus slew the innocent young son of Hektor, and by that barbarity incurred the displeasure of Apollon, so has Apollon arranged that Odysseus has been slain in innocence by his own son.

Act III
Stage arranged with a tripod and smoke:
The Pythia sits on her tripod and awaits Telegonus. The hero enters with Telemachus, Penelope, and the Chorus. He is wearing rags and grieving loudly at his damnation, while Penelope is garbed as a widow and Telemachus in mourning. The Pythia rises to address them. To Penelope she offers the comfort that she is a blameless widow of impeccable repute and promises that she will find a suitable marriage after her mourning. To Telemachus, she offers that he is King of Ithaca, and a lordly one who has not inherited the enmity of Odysseus' many godly enemies. But to Telegonus she demands he depart as a kin-slayer whose presence pollutes the halls of the temple. Telegonus rises in fury and threatens the Pythia before Apollon enters and quells them. He establishes that even kin-slayers may consult his oracle as long as they come seeking a means of repentance and purification, and tells Telegonus to return to Aeaea with the body of his father that family of Odysseus shall be mended and made whole again.

Stasima
The Chorus discusses the case of Orestes and Electra, son and daughter of Agamemnon, who slew their mother to avenge their father. This culmination of the curse of the Atreides and their subsequent purification by the jury of Athens was arranged by Apollon and Athene working together. Having ordered one kin-slaying in the name of justice, Apollon must now set a precedent with this new incident of patricide. The absence of the Eumenides is noted by the Chorus, who conclude that the balance of justice was that Odysseus should die in punishment for his many acts of hubris and immorality and that Telegonus was as an unwitting pawn of the gods not responsible for what happened.

Act IV
Stage arranged with trees:
Circe waits for her son to return and is visited by Athene. The goddess commands that she purify Telegonus for his manslaughter and confirms that she has rendered the body of Odysseus incorruptible before she departs. Telegonus enters the stage with Telemachus and Penelope. Circe embraces her son and anoints him with a magical healing oil to cleanse his spirit. Telegonus relays the words of Apollon, and Circe deciphers them. Odysseus shall be buried with his panoply and treasures in a grand tomb on the island in testimony to his greatness, as with the heroes of old, and with his internment the Trojan War shall finally end. No more feuds will be pursued or blood be shed on its account. And to bring the family to unity and restore the bonds frayed by the kin-slaying, there will be a dual-marriage. Telemachus is to wed Circe, and Telegonus is to wed Penelope.

Exodus
The wedding is conducted by Apollon, as Telegonus and Telemachus are both blessed by Athena as her new favorites and given the draught of immortality she refused to Tydeus. Apollon prophecies that new greatness shall emerge from these lineages in a land far from Hellas, and decrees that breaches in moral relations be resolved by appeal to the gods rather than the shedding of blood in impious rage or cold fury.

 

[Cavalier]

Alexis, son of Kallias Aristeides, presents the following Comedy for the enjoyment of the people and the honor of the Divine Union, and for the goddess Aphrodite and Artemis, with due sacrifices to Dionysios, for the Festival thereof in the year 354 OL.

Spoiler: The Union of the Amazons and Scythians

Players
Dorias, an Argive
Philippos, a Thessalian
Orithyia, Queen of the Amazons
Melanippe, Sister of Orithyia
Sagillus, King of the Scythians
Panasagoras, Son of Sagillus
Chorus, Amazon warriors
Chorus, Scythian warriors
Artemis
Ares
Aphrodite

Prologos
Stage arranged as a ship:
The Amazons, having been taken as slaves by the Athenians following the Attic War, revolt and seize control of a ship. Orithyia orders the Greek crew executed, but spares the lives of Dorias and Philippos who were only passengers after the two agree to steer the ship for the Amazons. Dorias, a grave and severe man, admits he has no idea how to navigate once Orithyia exits the stage. Philippos, a more boisterous and optimistic man, says they should do their best while praying to every god he can think of for aid in their endeavour. After going through a number of gods he finally settles on begging Aphrodite for help, as she is clearly the best goddess to aid them with women.

Act I
Stage arranged with trees:
The Amazons arrive in Scythian territory, entering the stage dressed and arrayed as Greek hoplites. A party of exotically dressed Scythians led by Panasgoras arrives afterward and mistakes the Amazons for Greek invaders. The two parties engage in a protracted battle, with Philippos and Dorias humorously attempting to stand aloof from the melee. Eventually one of the Amazons is slain and the Amazon party retreats. Panasgoras is then astonished to discover that he has been fighting women and uses his authority to proclaim that the Scythians will not offer the Amazons battle.

Stasima
The Scythian warriors sing a song of their prowess in battle and the charms of their nomadic lifestyle, free of the constraints of civilization like filthy streets, crowded neighborhoods, and noisy foreigners. And yet these Amazons are an intriguing surprise to them, for while one might not earn honor in fighting women these women can fight and might give a warrior many strong sons. They resolve to invoke the goddess Artemis to their aid, for as a warrior goddess she would understand their dilemma.

Act II
Stage arranged as a camp:
Orithyia holds conference with her sister Melanippe and the two Greeks. She complains that the Scythians continue to refuse battle, simply riding away when they came back to seize the body of their fallen warrior. Their lack of a common speech is another frustration, for if the Scythians will not give them battle she desires they at least tell her where they are and give the Amazons passage back to their homeland. She demands that Dorias and Philippos explain the behavior of the Scythians, because they at least are also men. Philippos blurts out that they should appeal to Aphrodite, since she's the authority on communication between men and women, as a horrified Dorias tries to shut him up. Melanippe however embraces the suggestion, noting that the Scythians are fierce warriors who could give them many strong daughters. Orythias agrees to the idea to appeal to the Scythians as women for lack of a better idea.

Stasima
The Amazon chorus recite their lineage as daughters of Ares and their many battles, and speak of the pain of their exile from their homeland. They appeal to Aphrodite in plain language, pleading they are unused to addressing a goddess of soft arts but that circumstances require it. They ask for the gifts needed to appeal to the Scythians to get them to surrender their ways and accept their subordination in marriage so that many strong children will result.

Act III
Stage arranged as a camp:
Panasgoras is meeting with his father Sagillus, who has come down to discuss the matter of the invaders. When his son describes how the Amazons have stopped attempting to fight but rather have enticed them with gentle gestures he nods knowingly and orders that the youngest and unmarried of the Scythian warriors should make their camp closer and closer to the Amazons each day. They should not brandish weapons but rather flower-wreaths and fruits as gifts. He also tells his son to seek out the most powerful and warlike of the Amazon women so that their royal line should continue to prosper above that of other Scythians. Panasgoras leaves, somewhat confused, to follow his father's command.

Stasima
The Scythian chorus sings odes to Artemis, who has heard their pleas and softened the hearts of the Amazons toward them. They stir with excitement of the idea of Amazon brides and the prospect of subjugating even more barbarous peoples with their aid. And yet some among them wonder of how they can communicate with the strange women and so pray as well for aid from Aphrodite in their rough tongues so that she might aid them in getting along their intent.

Act IV
Stage arranged as a camp:
Ares enters the empty stage, raging about the fate of his daughters and challenging Artemis for interfering in his affairs. Artemis answers his challenge, stating that the Scythians as barbaroi are under her patronage and so it is her right to have a say in matters. Ares attacks the goddess, and she boxes his ears with her bow. Aphrodite descends to intervene, convincing her paramour that the Amazons will be strengthened by their dalliance with the Scythians, and that the Scythians themselves are devotees of his as well as Artemis. Under her ministrations Ares is convinced to accept the patronage of the Amazons and Scythians by Artemis and departs as the two goddesses remain behind to oversee the union.

The Scythians and Amazons enter the stage afterward, dancing and making merry with one another. Panasagorus follows with Melanippe as they approach Queen Orithyia with Philippos and Dorias. As it turns out, Panasagorus speaks Greek and uses Dorias as an interpreter to ask for Melanippe's hand. Delighted to be able to communicate, and appraising that he will be a trustworthy and honorable ally who will give them strong daughters, Orythia consents. Artemis and Aphrodite then appear before all assembled to bless the union of the Amazons and Scythians into a sympolitea, both remaining distinct but cooperating and becoming stronger thereby.

Aphrodite however commands that Orythia take a spouse as well, to show that the Amazons have truly embraced her worship as well as that of Artemis and Ares. Orythia seizes Dorias and Philippos by the arms and proclaims that she will have both of them as her husbands as a shocked Dorias shuts down and Philippos tries to wiggle out citing his eromenos waiting for him back in Thessaly.

Exodus
The Amazons and Scythians pair up with the Amazons taking the dominant position as they parade off the stage. Orythia is next to last with Dorias and Philippos on other side both struggling unsuccessfully to break away, followed by Aphrodite and Artemis proceeding arm-in-arm in alliance for the success of the union they have established.

The use of two choruses and relatively lavish demands for action and manpower are here an evolution of the Adventure genre of Eretrian theater derived from the Eusebiad. Comedy has the prerogative of being more nakedly metaphorical or even for direct commentary on politics as well. One might think it's pushing the envelope here, but well look at Aristophanes...

 

[Cavalier]

Presented by Alexis Aristeides in honor of the Divine Marriage, at the festival of the same, with prayers and sacrifice to Dionysios for the success of the enterprise.

Spoiler: The Plataians

Players
Athanas the Lion, Olympian
Demokrites, a baker
Zenon, a playwright
Kosmas, a beardless youth
Chorus, Citizens of Plataia
Alcamenes, Spartan commander
Spartan Emissary
Pagondas, Theban commander
Extras, as Spartan/Theban soldiers

Prologos
Stage arranged with a wall:
The Plataians stand watch by the wall as a Spartan Emissary approaches. Athanas, a natural leader among the Plataians, orders him halt and state his business. The Spartan says that he has come to offer terms of surrender to Plataia. By order of Alcamenes they are promised that they will be judged fairly for their resistance and rejection of earlier terms. Zenon demands to know details of the trial, and the Spartan promises that only men guilty of breaching the laws of the gods during the war will be punished. The Plataians send the emissary away with a message that they will consider the offer.

Episode 1
Stage arranged with a wall:
Having received the Spartan offer, the Plataians assemble together in discussion of the matter. Athanas is steadfast in his resistance to surrender, arguing that the Plataians have resisted the Spartans thus far and still have some days of food left. And even then they are fighting for the temples and graves of their ancestors and so should rather perish than surrender. Zenon takes the opposite side, attempting to sway the other citizens by appealing to their families in exile in Athens. They had resisted so long because Athens said it would send relief, and yet none had showed up. For Zenon the prospect of their sons being stripped of citizenship and reduced to metics is unbearable, and he argues that the Spartans are known for their piety and so their word can be trusted. Kosmas weighs in that he longs for his lover in Athens and that his mother has already lost his brother and father in the war. Finally Demokrites, the representative of the common man, declares that they owe Athens nothing more and that it is better to give up than to make widows and orphans of all their families. The Plataians vote to surrender, though Athanas says they will regret the decision he says he will abide by the decision because it is the will of the polis and that is what true demokratia requires.

Stasima
The Chorus recounts the illustrious history of Plataia, citing its resistance to the Spartans and ancient friendship with Athens. They had long earned the enmity of the Thebans for standing in the way of the expansion of the Boetian League and feel that Theban treachery is what has led Sparta to reject the pledges made to Plataia after the Persian War. They then express hope that they will at least be able to see their wives and children again.

Episode 2
Stage arranged as a military camp:
The Plataians enter the stage, where Alcamenes and Pagondas wait on them. Athanas has been chosen as spokesman for the Plataians, and he announces their surrender. Alcamenes accepts and informs them that the trials will begin the following day so as to allow the Plataians to formulate an answer. Zenon breaks in, asking what question Alcamenes is referring to. The Spartan in turn informs him that they will be judged according to the services that they have offered the Spartans in the war. Those who cannot provide a satisfactory answer will be executed. Kosmas cries out that this is a violation of the promise the Spartans gave them, to which Alcamenes answers that having disgraced themselves in surrender they now enjoy no rights and it is up to Sparta to determine how they will be disposed of. Athanas stoically responds that the Plataians will give the Spartans a fitting response. In the meantime Alcamenes declares to Pagondas that the city of Plataia will be given to Thebes to do with as it will.

Stasima
The Chorus bemoans the fate of proud Plataia, where the united Hellenes triumphed over the long-haired Medes in a more heroic age. Even so, the Chorus notes, at that time Thebes had surrendered to servitude under the King-of-Kings while they had resisted alongside Sparta. And so they call out to Zeus Olympios to judge the Spartans for their oath-breaking as the Thebans had been judged for their betrayal of the Greek cause at the same place.

Episode 3
Stage arranged with trees:
The Plataians, now prisoners of Sparta, are allowed to assemble in a grove to debate what they will do in response to the trial. Zenon begins by spinning out a fable of how, by keeping the Thebans occupied, the Plataians have prevented their defeat by Athens. Athanas however responds the Spartans will only accept treachery and that no man of the garrison had committed treason. Instead he proclaims that they should be proud to die for their polis and should trust in the gods to avenge their murder. Zenon continues to seek out ideas but in the end Demokrites places his hand upon his friend and tells him that nothing can avail them now. The Spartans mean to have blood in revenge for the thwarting of their arms. Zenon is crestfallen, and laments that a beautiful youth like Kosmas should be butchered in this fashion. But Kosmas then responds that though he had been afraid to die like all men, it would be worse to disgrace his family by lies. He laments that he did not spend another afternoon with his erastes and that he has given no children to continue his line, but that to die for the polis is the best death he can hope for. At that the Plataians all vote for defiance, with Athanas giving Zenon a request to find him words which will live on for them all.

Stasima
The Chorus simply repeats an old hymn in honor of Zeus Olympios.

Episode 4
Stage arranged as a camp:
The Plataians enter as Alcamenes demands of them what they have done to further the Spartan cause. Athanas steps out first and barks defiance; "I have done you no service, Spartans, and die having done everything I can to defy your oppression." Zenon, Demokrites, and Kosmas all follow Athanas in turn and exit the stage to their deaths. The Chorus follows, leaving Alcamenes and Pagondas on the stage with extras.

Exodus
Pagondas announces that the city shall be turned to rubble and reduced to a single inn dedicated to serving wayfarers to Thebes. Then, so that he might slight Athens further, it will be dedicated to Hera to spite their patron Athena. And yet when he and Alcamenes prepare a sacrifice to Hera a crack of thunder is heard offstage. The Spartan emissary enters stage to report that the bull that had been prepared for slaughter has been struck dead by a bolt of lightening. Alcamenes despairs of the rejection of the sacrifice and the awful omen before the Spartans and Thebans exit and the play ends.

So Obander is going to Athens next year? Perfect time to poke the Spartans in the eye here.

 

[Cavalier]

The following Comedy is presented at the Festival of the Divine Marriage by Alexis Aristeides, in honor of the gods, and with specific prayers and sacrifice to Dionysios for the success of the play.

Spoiler: The Magic Cloak

Players
Theodora, a young Eretrian woman
Anaximander, her father
Demetrios, a young merchant of Eretria
Helen, the fiancé of Demetrios
Balliaos, an aged chieftain of the Daorsi
Teuta, new young wife of Balliaos
Chorus, Eretrian citizens
Extras, as Daorsi tribe
Poseidon
Aphrodite

Prologos
Stage arranged as the seaside:
Theodora approaches the sea, crying and threatening to throw herself in it to end her sorrow. She is interrupted by Poseidon, who emerges and bids her tell him of her trouble. She explains that her widower father is ill and cannot afford treatment, and that as a woman she has no way to help him. She ran away after being approached to prostitute herself. Poseidon notes her father Anaximander has always been a pious man enthusiastic in his worship as a captain and so he will grant her a boon; her cloak is enchanted so that she may become a man while it is worn, much as he blessed Caenus before. Theodora, now Theodotus, exits to pursue a fortune.

Episode I
Stage arranged as a barbarian camp:
Theodotus is at the camp discussing the outcome of their venture with Demetrios, a fellow merchant, and their crew of Eretrians. The Daorsi have welcomed them and treated them as honored guests. Their cargo of olive oil and pottery has been exchanged for high quality wool they both will make a handsome profit on. The Daorsi enter, with Balliaos the chieftain pronouncing a celebration in honor of his guests. The chieftain's wife Teuta is enamored of Theodotus and engages him in drinking and singing and then attempts to seduce him. Demetrios extracts Theodotus from the predicament, and the two take their leave under the suspicious eye of Balliaos.

Stasima
The Chorus sings a jaunty sea tune asking for the blessings of Poseidon and Dionysios as most appropriate for sailors. They comment on the good trade with the pacific Daorsi, though they note the promiscuity of Teuta and her hunger for the winsome Theodotus presents problems. They urge Demetrios to take the beardless youth as his eromenos to keep him out of trouble.

Episode II
Stage arranged as a house:
Theodotus visits his father, Anaximander, to give him the profits from his voyage. His father is half-blind from his illness, and refers to her as Theodora despite her possession of the magic cloak. While they are talking Demetrios arrives to discuss a return to the Daorsi. Theodotus balances dealing with her father and Demetrios in increasing desperation until Helen, the fiancé of Demetrios, comes by with servants from her household looking for him. They bicker as Helen accuses him of negotiating a new marriage with Theodora, until Theodotus breaks them up. Helen immediately swoons over the comely son of Anaximander, and suddenly proposes that she has no objection if Demetrios were to break their engagement contract. Theodotus takes Demetrios aside and they swiftly agree to depart back for the Daorsi with a new cargo as soon as possible.

Stasima
The Chorus of Helen's servants praise Aphrodite, who brings together happy couples. They express the hope that she will disentangle the complications and bring together some decent marriage matches out of the chaos of the situation.

Episode III
Stage arranged as a barbarian camp:
Theodotus and Demetrios arrive at the camp with their men to find a more hostile audience. Balliaos is there with Teuta, who fingers out Theodotus and accuses him of rape to explain her pregnancy. The furious chieftain threatens violence with the Greeks until Theodotus lifts off the magic cloak to reveal herself as Theodora. The scene devolves into chaos as the Greeks and Daorsi alike are astonished that Theodotus has been a woman all along. Balliaos is the first to recover and grabs his wife to take offstage, while the rest of the Daorsi stay behind to finish their trading. Demetrios pledges his love for the revealed Theodora, but she shakes and says she fears the consequences of her magically-enforced deception being revealed.

Stasima
The Chorus marvels at how Theodora deceived them all as an ideal of beauty as a beardless youth. And yet they note her actions are contrary to the law regarding the behavior of women and so that the courts will have a say. And yet they note the magic cloak is clearly the act of a god and so divine will is at work.

Episode IV
Stage arranged as an assembly:
Theodora is brought before a jury to account for her actions pretending to be a man. Demetrios speaks before the assembly, relaying her story of being endowed with the cloak as an act of Poseidon. Before the story can be disputed a horse enters the assembly and walks up to nuzzle Theodora. The sign of approval from Poseidon leads to the immediate acquittal of Theodora and the approval of her marriage to Demetrios by Anaximander.

Exodus
As the players exit Helen laments her misfortune in losing her fiancé and her new love to each other. In pity Poseidon descends with Aphrodite, and they bring her hand-in-hand to a healed and hearty Anaximander as a reward for his piety. They exit as the Chorus follows singing marriage hymns.