The Play of The First City of Greece
CAST:
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Females Narrator |
Males Ares
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Narrator: Our following play tells about the start of one of the oldest cities in Greece, a city that has become famous throughout the world.
Ares: I have just returned from the kingdom of Thrace, a rugged land of fierce warriors who pay honor to me.
Artemis: I have a kingdom under my special care too, the land of Arcadia, rich in forests and wild animals. The hunters there are under my protection and offer numerous sacrifices for my aid.
Aphrodite: Well, neither of your boasts impresses me because I have and entire island that is sacred to me. No doubt you have heard of Cyprus, the large green isle off the coast of Asia. It is like a green jewel, lush in crops, and surrounded by the foamy aqua waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Like me, it is famous for its beauty.
Hera: Aphrodite, your island of Cyprus may be beautiful, but it cannot compare in power to the mighty Greek cities that honor me. Argos, Mycenae, and Sparta are those where brave soldiers have chosen me, Hera, to be their protecting goddess. They picked me over Poseidon the god of the seas.
Athena: All powerful Zeus, many of the gods have cities or lands that are sacred to them, but Poseidon and I have none.
Zeus: Well I have no city special to me. Neither does powerful Hades.
Athena: But you rule over heavenly Mount Olympus and all the gods are under your care. And Hades rules over the entire underworld. All the spirits of the dead are under his sway. Besides Hades' vast kingdom is filled with diamonds, rubies, gold, silver, and all kinds of sparkling treasures.
Poseidon: What Athena says is true. Neither of us has a city that is precious to us.
Zeus: But Poseidon, you rule over all the oceans. Is that not large enough a kingdom for you?
Poseidon: It is a wide blue realm, but it is populated only by fish, scuttling crabs, and great whales. None of them can build a temple in honor of me.
Athena: As for me, I have no city nor any realm to rule over like Poseidon, Hades, and you father Zeus.
Zeus: Since you two are so set on trying to have a land special to you I will submit to your desires. There is land in Greece where a new city is being built. It has no name yet and is still rather small. But perhaps it will become famous some day if one of you aids it with your godly powers. Go to the people there. Each of you may offer a worthy gift or two to these Greeks, and then they may chose one of you to be their patron god.
Aurora: Come my mighty fellow gods. I shall spread rosy dawn to show you the way to the hilly country of Greece.
(curtains)
Narrator: The two immortals left the lofty region of mystical Mount Olympus and came to a hillside where men and women were building a new city.
Cecrops: Ah, it is good to be finally started on our town.
Orithyia: It is a pleasant spot, with a fair North wind to keep us cool.
Creusa: It is a tiny village now when compared to treasure-laden Mycenae or the great walled trading center of Troy. But perhaps the gods will favor us and maybe someday our city will gain fame and glory. You know the saying, "Mighty oaks start from tiny acorns."
Zetes: This is true, if the gods aid us our city may rise to great heights of splendor.
Athena: You have indeed found favor with the gods.
Orithia: You two have an Olympian look about you. Please tell us who you are.
Athena: We are gods from Mt. Olympus. I am Athena, the favorite daughter of Zeus. And this is Posedon, master of the seas.
Poseidon: We have come to offer you gifts, that you may choose one of us to be your protector and patron god. I offer you two gifts, first this. (strikes trident)
Creusa: Why a fountain has sprung up from under this rock.
Poseidon: (holds up bridle) My second gift is a pair of horses. With their offspring you may someday have enough horses to make a powerful city with many war chariots and a fierce cavalry.
Cecrops: Just think my friends, we could become a powerful city of war rivaling Argos and Mycenae.
Zetes: What gift do you have for us, Athena, goddess of wisdom?
Athena: I have this for you. (holds up plant)
Cecrops: That puny plant? That's all you will offer us?
Orithyia: Hold your peace, Cecrops. Please tell us about this plant.
Athena: It is a young olive tree. If you honor me as your protector goddess, then the saplings that come from this plant will grow until your land is filled with countless olive groves. It will take hard work on your part, but the rewards for your citizens will be great. The berries of this tree will be good to eat. But it will be the oil from this plant that will be the greatest benefit. The olive oil can be used for cooking, and it has a healing effect when rubbed on injuries. The oil can also be used in lamps so that your homes will have light in the evenings after the sunlight has vanished and the Earth is plunged in darkness. Thus after your workday is over, you may read and increase your knowledge by the light of your lamps. Thus your land will become famous for its wisdom. From this plant you will gain prosperity for other people will seek to buy its oil when they learn its worth.
(Greeks discuss)
Orithyia: We have chosen Athena and her promising gift.
Cecrops: Poseidon, we appreciate your offers and we will build you a temple as well. But Athena, the goddess of wisdom, will be our patron and we will name our city Athens in honor of her.
Athena: Worthy Greeks, your city shall become renown, not for its army nor its great riches, but for its wisdom. It will be a center for artist, skilled writers, and great scientists. Your government and wisdom will aid all civilizations to come.
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Highland Park Elementary School
Austin, Texas
© Copyright 1997 James Parks & Sally Corbett