The origins of Ancient Greek Theater are thought to have began around the 8th century B.C., when primitive tribes occupied Greece (Nard

famous for writing Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, The Poetics, Electra,

o 13). In Thrace, an area of northern Greece, there began a group which worshipped Dionysus, the Greek God of human and agricultural fertility. Dionysus also supposedly invented wine making and engaged in poetry, song, and drama. The Cult of Dionysus, as it was called, engaged in rites and celebrations in which there was intoxication, orgies, and human and animal sacrifices (Elias 1). The cult practiced wild displays that made people become hysterical and mentally out of control, which the Greeks called ecstasis (ecstasy). This concept meant a release of emotions, which was the basis for Greek plays. By acting out the plays, the Greeks thought it was a way of emotional release.

The most recognized type of Greek play was the tragedy. The word tragedy was derived from two words, tragos (meaning goat), and ode (meaning song), which had to do with the dithyramb. The term tragedy means “a drama in which a heroic protagonist meets an unhappy or calamitous end, brought about by some fatal flaw of character, by circumstances outside his or her control, or simply by destiny,” (Groliers). Tragedies were written to show the right and wrong ways of life. The main character most often was arrogant, and in some cases (Oedipus, in Oedipus Rex) did not accept fate and did not heed any warnings told to them. At that time in history, when philosophers such as Plato and Socrates introduced new ways of thinking, and new ideas sprung up all over the place, it was only natural that people would question what was right and what was wrong, how people should behave, and how society should work. So when the poets wrote these tragedies, they were basically answering peoples’ questions about different concerns, and it was comforting and made people think and re-evaluate issues in their lives (Easterling 66).

Aeschylus was one of the first playwrights of Greece. After Thepis created a protagonist, Aeschylus created an antagonist, a second actor to interact with the first. He also reduced the size of the chorus from 50 to 12 people. Aeschylus’ Persians, written in 472 B.C., was the first actual play in existence (Vickers 32).

religion, and payed recognition to lowly people

Some topics in this essay:
Greek Theater, Cult Dionysus, Century BC, Ancient Greek, Thespis Attica, Ajax Vickers, Athens Greece, Aeschylus’ Persians, Ancient Greece, Plato Socrates, greek theater, ancient greek theater, ancient greek, ancient greece, main character, oedipus rex, tragic contests, 21st century, greek plays, theater orchestra, result innovations, theater ancient greece,