Aeschylus’ Prometheus Pyrkaeus

Abstract: 

The first part of the article consists of an annotated edition of a number of fragments belonging or conjecturally ascribed to Aeschylus’ satyr-play Prometheus Pyrkaeus. The play’s story pertains to the donation of fire to humans by Prometheus. The Satyrs are the donees, and, accompanied by Nymphs, express their gratitude to the Titan with songs and dances. The second part attempts to dissociate the play from the 472 bce production and ascribe it to the Promethean tetralogy as its missing satyr-play. All internal ele­ments of the story (winter, night, dances, drunken revelry, marshy mea­dow, Nymphs) point to the Anthesteria festival, the Dionysion ἐν Λίμναις, the ἀρχαιό­τερα Διονύσια, and possibly the Χύτρινοι ἀγῶνες. 469 bce is proposed as a possible date for the production of the Promethean tetralogy.