Ancient Greece: Literature and Theater

Aeschylus is credited with writing the first tragedies that have survived to the present day.

Aristophanes is known for his satirical comedies that often poked fun at political and social issues.

The Clouds is a comedy written by Aristophanes, while Oedipus Rex, Antigone, and Medea are all tragedies.

The Theater of Dionysus is the oldest theater in the world and was used for performances of plays and other events.

The chorus was a group of actors who sang and danced in unison and commented on the action of the play.

Masks were used in Greek theater to help actors portray different characters and emotions.

The logeion was a raised platform in Greek theater where the actors performed.

The skene was a building behind the stage in Greek theater that served as a backdrop for the action of the play.

The orchestra was the area in front of the stage in Greek theater where the chorus performed.

Oedipus Rex is a tragedy by Sophocles that tells the story of a man who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.

Medea is a tragedy by Euripides that tells the story of a woman who kills her children to avenge her husband's death.

The Acharnians is a comedy by Aristophanes that satirizes the Peloponnesian War.

The Eumenides is a tragedy by Aeschylus that tells the story of a group of women who are avenging the death of their husbands.

Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles that tells the story of a woman who is forced to choose between her loyalty to her country and her love for her husband.

Iphigenia in Aulis is a tragedy by Euripides that tells the story of a woman who is sacrificed to appease the gods.