Note (return) — THE TEMPLE ON THE ACROPOLIS BURNT BY THE PERSIANS.

We have abundant notices, besides those already given, of a precinct or precincts of Dionysus in this section. Hesychius speaks 187 of a house in Melite where the tragic actors rehearsed. Photius repeats 188 the statement almost word for word. Philostratus mentions 189 a council-house of the artists near the gate of the Ceramicus. Pausanias (I. 2. 5), just after entering the city, sees within one of the stoas the house of Poulytion which was dedicated to Dionysus Melpomenus. He speaks next of a precinct with various αγάλματα, and among them the face of the demon of unmixed wine, Cratus. Beyond this precinct was a building with images of clay, representing, among other scenes, Pegasus, who brought the worship of Dionysus to Athens. This building also was plainly devoted to the cult of the wine-god. In fact, the most venerable traditions in Athens, with reference to Dionysus, centre here. All the various representations here are connected with the oldest legends. Pausanias (I. 3. 1.) says that the Ceramicus had its very name from Ceramus, a son of Dionysus and Ariadne.