Dionysus ancient theatre greece

History of Ancient Greek Theatre

By prestonwyd
  • Early Theatrical Roots
    600 BCE

    Early Theatrical Roots

    Greek Theatre began around 600 BCE, being paid for and performed by the community. These performances were seen as offerings to the god Dionysia, and plays were presented in his honor.
  • First theatrical events performed
    534 BCE

    First theatrical events performed

    The first recorded theatrical events occurred in 534 BCE, where contests were held to determine who could put on the best tragedy. The winner, Thespis, known as one of the first playwrights and actors, is still used as a referenced to day (hence the word Thespian).
  • Period: 525 BCE to 480 BCE

    First "theatres" constructed

    From around 525-480 BCE, the first "theatres" began being constructed around ancient Greece, such as the Theatre of Thorikos.
  • Period: 525 BCE to 456 BCE

    Life of Aeschylus

    Aeschylus was one of the great playwrights of 5th century Athens, along with Euripides and Sophocles.
  • Period: 496 BCE to 406 BCE

    Life of Sophocles

    Sophocles was one of the best playwrights of his time, known for plays such as "Antigone" and "Oedipus Rex".
  • Introduction of comedy contest in Athens
    486 BCE

    Introduction of comedy contest in Athens

    Opposite from the common play of the time, the people of Athens held a contest at the Lenaea Winter Festival for best comedy.
  • Period: 479 BCE to 406 BCE

    Life of Euripides

    Euripides was another great playwright, known for popular plays such as "Medea" and "Hercules"
  • Aeschylus puts on first performance of "The Persians"
    472 BCE

    Aeschylus puts on first performance of "The Persians"

    Aeschylus, one of the best 3 tragedians in 5th century Athens, put on his first performance of his oldest surviving play, titled "The Persians", set after the Greek victory over the Persians at Salamis and Xerxes' return to Persia.
  • First performance of Sophocles' "Antigone"
    442 BCE

    First performance of Sophocles' "Antigone"

    Another great tragedian coming from 5th century Athens, Sophocles, puts on his performance of the play "Antigone", about a woman torn between public and private duty.
  • Euripides' first performance of "Alcestia"
    438 BCE

    Euripides' first performance of "Alcestia"

    In 438 BCE, tragedian Euripides puts on his performance of "Alcestia", where Alcestis sacrifices herself to save her husband but is ultimately saved by Hercules from the supernatural figure of Death.
  • Period: 340 BCE to 299 BCE

    Construction of major ancient Greek theatre

    This period marks a significant amount of ancient Greek theatre architecture being built, such as the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in late 4th century.
  • Emergence of New Comedy in Greek Drama
    320 BCE

    Emergence of New Comedy in Greek Drama

    A new type of comedy, known as New Comedy, satirized contemporary Athenian society, which was unlike Old Comedy, which satirized public figures and events.
  • First performance of Menander’s Dyskolos at the Lenaia festival
    316 BCE

    First performance of Menander’s Dyskolos at the Lenaia festival

    Dysoklos, also known as The Grouch, written by Menander, is one of the only pieces of New Comedy that has survived in nearly complete form.
  • Period: 100 to 400

    Decline of classical Greek theatre

    1st-4th centuries CE mark a dramatic decline of Greek theatre, Christianization of Roman empire leads to suppression of pagan festivals and theatre; dramatic competitions continue sporadically.