If our modern playgoer in ancient Athens were an American and so accustomed to staid conduct in a theatrical audience, he would be surprised at the turmoil of an Athenian performance. A Frenchman, familiar with the riots which greeted Victor Hugo’s _Hernani_ or Bernstein’s _Après Moi_, would be better prepared for the situation. But in any case he would soon discover that a prize was to be awarded both in tragedy and in comedy, and that each poet had his friends, partisans, and claque. The comic poets at least made no attempt to conceal the fact that there was a prize and that they were “out” for it. In almost every play Aristophanes’ choruses advance reasons, sometimes serious, sometimes fantastic, for favoring their poet and giving him the victory. A few examples will suffice. In the _Women in Council_ (vss. 1154 ff.) the chorus says: But first, a slight suggestion to the judges. Let the wise and philosophic choose me for my wisdom’s sake, Those who joy in mirth and laughter choose me for the jests I make; Then with hardly an exception every vote I’m bound to win.... Keep your oaths, and well and truly judge between the rival plays. [Rogers’ translation] _Birds_, vss. 1101 f.: Now we wish to tell the judges, in a friendly sort of way, All the blessings we shall give them, if we gain the prize today. [Rogers’ translation] Aristophanes was bald-headed, and therefore the chorus humorously appeals for the votes of all those similarly afflicted; cf. _Peace_, vss. 765 ff.: It is right then for all, young and old, great and small, Henceforth of my side and my party to be, And each bald-headed man should do all that he can That the prize be awarded to me. [Rogers’ translation] The _Birds_ (vss. 1763 ff.) concludes with a sort of “Lo the conquering hero comes,” an adaptation of Archilochus: Raise the joyous Paean-cry, Raise the song of Victory. Io Paean, alalalae, Mightiest of the Powers, to thee! [Rogers’ translation], where Rogers comments: “These triumphal cries not only celebrate the triumph of Pisthetaerus [in the play], but also prognosticate the victory of Aristophanes in the dramatic competition.” Similarly, at the end of the _Women in Council_ (vss. 1179 ff.): Then up with your feet and away to go. Off, off to the supper we’ll run. With a whoop for the prize, hurrah, hurrah, With a whoop for the prize, hurrah, hurrah, Whoop, whoop, for the victory won! [Rogers’ translation],