theorikon (θεωρικόν) : theh-oh-rih-KAWN

(Greek). Festival fund that subsidized entrance fees at the Athenian Dionysia; recipients restricted to Athenian citizens; establishment of subsidy may date to Pericles ca. 450 BC; theoric fund established to either grant tickets free of charge or to provide monetary distributions for use at the festival; fund often cited as evidence supporting an Athenian concern for universal accessibility to theatre but arguments can be made that the fund also allowed the state to control and stabilize ticket prices.