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In the theatre of ancient Greece, the ''chorêgos'' (pl. ''chorêgoi''; (ギリシア語:χορηγός), Greek etymology: χορός "chorus" + ἡγεῖσθαι "to lead") was a wealthy Athenian citizen who assumed the public duty, or ''choregiai'', of financing the preparation for the chorus and other aspects of dramatic production that were not paid for by the government of the ''polis'' or city-state.〔Brockett, p. 17〕 Modern Anglicized forms of the word include choragus and choregus, with the accepted plurals being the Latin forms ''choregi'' and ''choragi''.〔 In modern Greek the word ''χορηγός'' is synonymous with the word "grantor".〔Pring, p. 214〕 ''Choregoi'' were appointed by the archon and the tribes of Athenian citizens from among the Athenian citizens of great wealth. Service as a ''choregos'', though an honor, was a duty for wealthy citizens and was part of the liturgical system designed to improve the city-state's economic stability through the use of private wealth to fund public good. Choregoi paid for costumes, rehearsals, expenses of the chorus (including training, salaries, board and lodging), scenery, props (including elaborate masks), special effects and most of the musicians. The ''choregos'' also hosted a feast if his chorus proved victorious in competition. The prizes for drama at the Athenian festival competitions were awarded jointly to the playwright and the ''choregos''.〔 Such victories carried prestige for the ''choregos''. Several notable political figures served as ''choregoi'', including Themistocles, Pericles and Plato, among others. Monuments were built in honor of victorious ''choregoi''. At the turn of the 17th century AD, in an attempt to recreate the ancient Greek dramatic tradition, the position was revived briefly in Italian opera, and combined the roles of impresario and director. ==Nomination and appointment== Under the Athenian constitution, ''choregoi'' were appointed by the archon and the tribes of Athenian citizens. The archon appointed ''choregoi'' for the tragedies, while the tribes supplied five ''choregoi'' for the comedies as well as ''choregoi'' for the Dionysia and Thargelia (the major festival competitions).〔Aristotle, p. 101〕 The archon, who began this process months in advance of a festival, were able easily to identify potential dramatic ''choregoi'' because their mutual wealth allowed them to move in the same social circles as the most qualified candidates. In order to be considered for the role of ''choregos'', an individual had to be an Athenian citizen and possess great wealth. ''Choregoi'' for choruses of boys were required by Athenian law to be over forty years old to protect the young participants. Volunteers from this selected group of qualified individuals may have been the source of most appointments. The figure of the ''choregos'' can be traced back as early as the 7th century B.C. References to the title are found in recovered portions of the earliest choral lyric poetry, including the ''Parthenia'' (or "Maiden-songs") of Alkman, a poet of archaic Sparta.〔Wilson, pp. 53–61, 113 and 198–213〕 Service as a ''choregos'', though an honor, was a duty rather than a choice for wealthy citizens. This duty was one among many built into the state liturgical system of ancient Athens, which was designed to improve the city-state's economic stability through the use of private wealth to fund public good. Once nominated, however, a potential ''choregos'' had three choices. He could accept the nomination and the duty. Through a process called ''skepsis'', he could claim one of several specifically defined exemptions and be excused from service. Finally, he could identify another Athenian who was more qualified to perform the role of ''choregos'' and use the procedure of ''skepsis'' to resolve the matter.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「choregos」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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