Note 293 — Chapter V · EURIPIDES AND VASE PAINTING (continued 2)

It will be observed that the writer does not share the view of Bethe, Prolegomena zur Geschichte des Theaters im Altertum, p. 142 ff., that the Flugmaschine was not in use in the Greek theatre before 425 B.C. Robert, Hermes, vol. 31, p. 530–577, has conclusively shown the incorrectness of Bethe’s arguments, and not only proved the use of the Flugmaschine for the Medeia, 431 B.C., but also for a much earlier date. Bethe’s remark, Demnach ist für die erste Aufführung der Medea im Jahre 431 ihr Erscheinen in der Höhe, also auch die Anwendung der Flugmaschine, nicht möglich (p. 146), is based upon a false conception of the resources at hand in that period of Athenian architectural activity.