Ancient Greek theatre emerged in Athens in the 5th century BCE during a time of flourishing culture and the establishment of democracy. Theatre festivals honored the god Dionysus and featured competitions where playwrights and actors vied for awards. Playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides established the genres of tragedy and comedy, with works that examined philosophical, social, and political issues and still influence modern theatre today.

1. Ancient Greek Theatre

2. Athens, 5th Century BCE

3. • Polis: Ancient Greek city-state
• Key events in Athens during the 5th century:
– Emergence of democracy
– The Persian Wars (449 – 499 BCE)
– The Peloponnesian War (431 – 401 BCE)
• The Delian League
– An association of city-states lead by Athens

5. Athenian Culture
• Philosophy
– Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
• History
– Herodotus
• Art
– Sculpture
– Architecture
– Theatre
• Religion
– Polytheistic

6. Dionysus
• God of theatre, wine, fertility, and ritual madness
• Was the son of Zeus, his mother was a mortal woman
• Discovered the process of wine-making
• Could transform into a lion
• Was worshiped at festivals where theatre was performed

7. Theatre Festivals
• Greek theatre was performed at three
religious festivals throughout the year.
• Dramatists competed for awards in writing,
and actors competed for awards in
performing.
• At the Great Dionysia, three playwrights would
present a trilogy of tragedies and a satyr play.
• Plays were funded by a wealthy citizen-
sponsor.

8. Greek Theatre at Epidaurus
(rebuilt by the Romans)

15. Greek Actors
• Thespis was the first winner of the
tragic acting contest in 534 BCE
• Each actor played several roles
• Masks were used
• Costumes were used to show:
– Ethnicity
– Gender
– Social Role
• All actors were male

17. Masks

18. Aeschylus
• C. 525 – 455 BCE
• Known for introducing the second actor
• Often described as “the father of tragedy”
• 70 – 80 tragedies are ascribed to him
• 7 are intact
• His most famous work is The Orestia

19. Sophocles
• C 497 – 406 BCE
• Reportedly wrote over 120 plays
• 7 survive
• His most famous tragedy is Oedipus Rex

20. Oedipus Rex

21. Euripides
• 480 – 406 BCE
• Wrote over 90 plays
• 19 survive
• His work was controversial
• He criticized imperialism and war

22. Medea

23. Aristophanes
• 446 – 386 BCE
• Known for writing comedies
• 11 of his 46 plays survive
• Satirized war, government, and society

24. A recent production of Frogs