Ancient Theater

Thespis became the world's first award winning actor

534 BCE

In the first annual Dionysian festival dramatic competition, Thespis won in 534 BC. Because of his influence on theater, we call actors thespians today. (actor)

Euripides

485 BCE

Euripides was a tragedian of the city of Athens, he wrote 95 plays in all and 18 are still preformed today. Euripides shaped Greek theatre by portraying strong female characters in his plays.

Aeschylus

472 BCE

Aeschylus was the writer of many play writes. It is believed that he wrote over 90 plays, though only 7 remain today. The oldest play still existing today is called The Persians, by Aeschylus written in 472 BC. (director)

The Oldest Play

472 BCE

The oldest play still existing today is called The Persians, by Aeschylus written in 472 BC. (director)

Dionysia Festival

458 BCE

Aeschylus wrote the play, this play was preformed in the city of Dionysia, the Tragedy city. This festival was very important to ancient theater.

Aristophanes

456 BCE

Aristophanes was a famous Greek comedian and possibly the greatest comedian of his time. Aristophanes wrote many comedies.

Trachinian Women

430 BCE

A less developed version of the play Sophocles, this play was a powerful story about women mainly featuring Heracles wife. The play follows Deianeira and her struggles adjusting to the married life.

Wasps

422 BCE

Wasps is an ancient greek comedy play written by Aristophanes in 422 BC.

Electra

410 BCE

Electra is a play about a girl named Electra who was abandoned by her family and was adopted by another, the family was very respectful of her and she was more than happy to help. Electra was still distraught about the fact that her real parents had abandoned her, in the end she is reunited with her birth family.

The Frogs

405 BCE

The Frogs is an ancient Greek comedy play, written by Aristophanes in 405 BC.

Araros

388 BCE

Aroros originally was a comedic poet but later became a comedic actor and preformed in his play Plutus. His father was Aristophanes, a big figure in Ancient Greek Theatre.

The Temple of Apollo

300 BCE

The temple of Apollo was a theater dedicated to the god, the ancient Greeks created the temple to honor and house a statue of the mighty god. Plays were held in the temple to exhibit his power and meaning to the people of ancient Greece.

Metrobius

138 BCE

Metrobius lived in the first century BC and was an actor in the Roman Republic. He was well known for hitting on the actors and playing more comedic parts rather than tragedies.

Sannyrion

408

He was an actor in the play Orestes, Sannyrion was known for mocking the original words written and would add words of his own.

Sophocles

497

A famous tragedy play writer how's plays are some of the few Greek plays that have survived throughout the years.

Cleisthenes

Period: 508 to 570

Cleisthenes was a states man and was known as the founder of Athenian democracy, he served as chief archon this was the highest magistrate in the time. (director)