Aeschylus’ Satyric Prometheus

In 472 BC Aeschylus staged a tetralogy which comprised Phineus, Glaucus of Potniae, Persians and a satyric Prometheus; the last drama has been identified either with the Prometheus Pyrkaeus (Prometheus the Fire-Kindler), which is quoted by Pollux, or with the Prometheus Pyrphoros, which is listed in the Medicean Catalogue. The plot focused on Prometheus' theft of the fire and possibly on the introduction of the Attic festival of the Prometheia, during which torch races took place; the most important fragment is a choral song partly preserved by P.Oxy. 2245 where Prometheus is praised for the gift of the fire. The volume will provide a critical edition of the text, a philological commentary, an attempt to reconstruct the plot and an iconographic survey on Attic vases with Prometheus carrying one or two torches and surrounded by satyrs, perhaps an echo of the Aeschylean drama.