The
Lysikrates Monument
is the best preserved example of a choregic monument. Wealthy Athenian citizens
financed the training and outfitting of choruses for competitive dramatical and
musical performances. The producer (called the "choregos") assumed this expense
as part of his civic and religious duty (an ancient "liturgy" called the "choregia").
The winning producer was awarded a bronze tripod. These tripods were displayed
either in or near the sanctuary of Dionysos on the South Slope of the Acropolis
or along the
Street of the Tripods,
an ancient road that led from the sanctuary of Dionysos around the east and
northeast sides of the Acropolis. The tripods were set up on bases and other
small structures inscribed with the names of the producer/choregos, the
victorious Athenian tribe, the musician who accompanied the performance, the
poet who "taught" the chorus, and the name of the Athenian magistrate at the
time. The Lysikrates Monument was constructed on the western side of the Street
of the Tripods in order to commemorate a choral victory in 335/334 B.C.