Choregos
In the theatre of ancient Greece, the
chorêgos 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. Modern Anglicized forms of the word include
choragus and
choregus, with the accepted plurals of choregi and choragi In modern Greek the word
χορηγός is synonymous with the word "grantor".
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, scenery, props, special effects and most of the musicians. The
choregos also hosted a feast if his chorus proved victorious in competition.