Interpreter appointed by the Pythian Oracle.[1040] Priest of Olympian Zeus. Hierophant. Priest of Delian Apollo. Priest of Poseidon the Nourisher. Priest of the Graces, and of Fire-bearing Artemis of the Tower. Interpreter chosen from the Eupatridae by the people for life. Priest of Poseidon the Earth-holder and Poseidon Erectheus. Priest of Artemis Colaenis. Priest of Dionysus the Singer, chosen from the Euneidae. Bullock-keeper of Palladian Zeus. Priest of Zeus of the Council and Athene of the Council.[1041] Priest of Zeus the Deliverer and Athene the Deliverer. Priest of Antinous the Dancer, chosen from the Company of Actors.[1042] Priest of Apollo Patrous. Priest of Dionysus the Singer, chosen from the Company of Actors. Priest of Glory and Order. Priest of Asclepius. Priest of the Muses. Priest of Zeus the god of Friendship. Priest of the Twelve Gods. Statue-cleanser of Zeus at Pisa. Priest of the Lycean Apollo. Statue-cleanser of Olympian Zeus in the City. Priest of the Dioscuri and the Hero Epitegius.[1043] Priest of Heavenly Nemesis. Priest of Hephaestus. Priest of Apollo the Laurel-wearer. Priest of Dionysus of Aulon. The Stone-carrier.[1044] Priest of Theseus. Bullock-keeper of Zeus the Accomplisher. Priest of Demeter and Persephone. The priests enumerated here were the principal dignitaries in the Athenian hierarchy. Behind them sat a large gathering of inferior priests and priestesses. Their presence in such numbers at performances like the Old and Middle Comedy affords a curious illustration of the religious sentiment of the Athenians, and indicates clearly that the coarseness of the early comedy, and its burlesque representations of the gods and their adventures, did not constitute any offence against religion, but formed an appropriate element in the worship of Dionysus. § 4. _Various Arrangements in connexion with the Audience._ The performance of plays began soon after sunrise, and continued all day long without intermission. There was no such thing as an interval for refreshments; one play followed another in rapid succession.[1045] Apart from direct evidence upon the subject, it is manifest that, considering the large number of plays which had to be gone through in the time, any delay would have been out of the question. Consequently the spectators were careful to have a good meal before starting for the theatre.[1046] There was also a plentiful consumption of wine and various light refreshments in the course of the actual performances. The time for such an indulgence was during the tedious portions of a play, but when one of the great actors came upon the stage the provisions were laid aside, and the audience became all attention.[1047]