What is Greek theatre?

Greek theatre is a form of performance art where a limited number of actors and a chorus conduct a tragedy or comedy based on the works of ancient playwrights. Greek theatre typically has as its theme stories from Greek mythology or comedic situations where real ancient Greek politicians and others are made fun of.

Who created Greek theatre?

Greek theatre evolved from religious ceremonies where participants wore masks and sang songs in honour of gods like Dionysos. The actor Thespis (c. 520 BCE) is credited with being the first actor to speak to the audience and change costumes during the performance. This is why actors are sometimes called 'thespians' even today.

What are the two types of Greek plays?

Greek theatre was either tragedy or comedy. Tragedy plays saw three actors and a 15-person chorus perform stories from Greek mythology and religion. Greek comedy plays poked fun at Greek culture and personalities; they involved actors and the chorus wearing extravagant and amusing costumes.

How has Greek theatre influenced modern entertainment?

Greek theatre has influenced modern entertainment in many areas. Actors with costumes, special effects, the use of satire, and even the shape of the theatre itself are all lasting influences.

Greek Theatre Timeline

Definition

Greek theatre began in the 6th century BCE in Athens with the performance of tragedy plays at religious festivals. These, in turn, inspired the genre of Greek comedy plays. The two types of Greek drama would be hugely popular and performances spread around the Mediterranean and influenced Hellenistic and Roman theatre.

More about: Ancient Greek Theatre

Timeline

c. 525 BCE - c. 456 BCE
Life of Greek tragedy poet Aeschylus.
c. 496 BCE - c. 406 BCE
Life of Greek tragedy poet Sophocles.
c. 493 BCE
Phrynichos' tragedy 'The Fall of Miletos' is first performed.
c. 484 BCE - 407 BCE
Life of Greek tragedy poet Euripides.
477 BCE
Phrynichos' tragedy 'Phoencian Women' is first performed.
472 BCE
Aeschylus' tragedy 'Persians' is first performed.
468 BCE
Sophocles wins his first tragedy competition (title unknown).
467 BCE
Aeschylus' tragedy 'Seven Against Thebes' is first performed.
c. 463 BCE
Aeschylus' tragedy 'The Suppliants' is first performed.
c. 460 BCE - c. 380 BCE
Life of Greek comic poet Aristophanes.
458 BCE
Aeschylus' tragedy trilogy Orestia: 'Agamemnon', Libation Bearers or 'Choephori', and 'The Eumenides' is first performed.
c. 457 BCE
Aeschylus' tragedy 'Prometheus Bound' is first performed.
c. 442 BCE
Sophocles' tragedy 'Antigone' is first performed.
438 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Alcestis' is first performed.
431 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Medeia' is first performed.
c. 430 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Heraclidae' is first performed.
428 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Hippolytus' is first performed.
426 BCE
Cheimazomenae by Cratinus is first performed.
c. 425 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Andromache' is first performed.
425 BCE
Numeniae by Eupolis is first performed.
425 BCE
Archarnians by Aristophanes is first performed.
424 BCE
Satyrs by Cratinus is first performed.
424 BCE
The Knights by Aristophanes is first performed.
423 BCE
The Clouds by Aristophanes is first performed.
c. 423 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Hecuba' is first performed.
c. 423 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Suppliants' is first performed.
423 BCE
Pytine by Cratinus is first performed.
422 BCE
The Wasps by Aristophanes is first performed.
421 BCE
Peace by Aristophanes is first performed.
421 BCE
Maricas by Eupolis is first performed.
421 BCE
Flatterers by Eupolis is first performed.
420 BCE
Autolycus by Eupolis is first performed.
c. 417 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Hercules' is first performed.
c. 416 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Electra' is first performed.
415 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Trojan Women' is first performed.
414 BCE
The Birds by Aristophanes is first performed.
412 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Helen' is first performed.
c. 412 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Iphigenia among the Taurians' is first performed.
c. 412 BCE
Euripides' satyr play Cyclops is first performed.
411 BCE
Lysistrata by Aristophanes is first performed.
411 BCE
Thesmophoriazusae by Aristophanes is first performed.
c. 410 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Ion' is first performed.
409 BCE
Sophocles' tragedy 'Philoctetes' is first performed.
409 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Phoenissae' is first performed.
c. 408 BCE
Euripides' tragedy 'Orestes' is first performed.
408 BCE - 406 BCE
Euripides' tragedies 'Bacchae', 'Iphigenia at Aulis' are first performed.
405 BCE
The Frogs by Aristophanes is first performed.
401 BCE
Sophocles' tragedy 'Oedipus at Colonus' is first performed.
c. 392 BCE
Ecclesiazusae by Aristophanes is first performed.
388 BCE
Plutus by Aristophanes is first performed.
c. 368 BCE - 263 BCE
Life of Greek comic poet Philemon.
c. 342 BCE - c. 291 BCE
Life of Greek comic poet Menander.
316 BCE
Dyskolos by Menander is first performed.