Satyrikon and the Origins of Tragedy

A close scrutiny of Aristotle's Poetics allows to put new light to the debated question of the origins of tragedy. The role of the dithyrambic choirs appears less important than before: Aristotle mentions dithyrambic performances only to explain the kind of performance which was distinctive of satyrikon in the early phase. Some recent images from greek vases are consistent with Aristotle's statements that satyrikon was the only drama performed until the end of VI century BC, when tetralogy appeared at Dionysiac Festivals. The meaning and function of the satyrikon is more easy to reach through comparison with Japanese No theatre.