Greek theatre began in 534 BC in Athens, where the first theatre was created to host plays about the gods in honor of Dionysus. Plays were a major social and cultural event, with audiences of up to 15,000 people, including prisoners who were temporarily released to attend. Only men could perform in plays, so female roles were played by men in drag. Plays told stories through song instead of dialogue, and actors used exaggerated gestures and masks since plays were performed in daylight. The genres of tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays developed as distinct forms of theatre. Athens promoted these festivals throughout its empire to encourage a shared Greek identity.

1. Greek Theatre How did it all begin?