In the historic centre of Athens, in Plaka, one can walk along the ‘Street of the Tripods’, one of the oldest streets in the city. Part of it is integrated into the current urban fabric, while in ancient times the street extended north of the Peripatos (the road around the rock of the Acropolis). Following an eastward course circumventing the Acropolis, it connected the Prytaneion, on the northern slope of the hill, and the Ancient Agora with the Sanctuary of Dionysus. The street, which was 6-7.5 metres wide, ended at the propylon of the sanctuary and the eastern passage of the theatre.

The street was named “street of the Tripods”, because along its length and on either side choragic monuments were erected, dedications of the winner choregoi (sponsors) of the dithyrambic contests. They dedicated the prize awarded to them, a large bronze tripod, to Dionysus, placing it on an inscribed stone base. By building these choragic monuments, the sponsor and the tribe to which he belonged gained glory, ensuring that their and their victory would be commemorated in the future. Although choragic monuments were originally simple structures to accommodate the tripod, they evolved into elaborate constructions, which in some cases, as a result of the competition among Athenian tribes to impress, became independent buildings, usually in the form of a small temple. Today, in the Street of the Tripods stands in its original position the choragic monument of Lysicrates, a circular, naiskos-shaped structure resting on a tall square base, built in 335/4 BCE.

At the beginning of spring, a magnificent procession passed along the street of the Tripods during the festivities of the Great or En Astei Dionysia. Citizens from the ten tribes of Athens, metics (the city’s resident foreigners), as well as contributors to the performances, participated in this event. The massive ritual procession ended at the Sanctuary of Dionysus where sacrifices were made in his honour.

The Street of the Tripods, intertwined with the Theatre of Dionysus and the dramatic games, not only provided access to an artistic space, but was also a cherished promenade for the citizens. The strategic placement of the choragic monuments, with a focus on the opulent decoration of their facades, would undoubtedly catch the eyes of passersby. These striking monuments of social prestige served as constant reminders to the Athenians of the triumphant achievements in the competitions, their choregoi and their contributors, playing a significant role in shaping collective memory and identity.