A Guide to Ancient Greek Drama
This Blackwell Guide provides a broad-ranging introduction to ancient
Greek drama, which flourished principally in Athens from the sixth to
the third century bc. All three genres of Greek drama are discussed
ndash; tragedy, comedy, and satyr play ndash; as well as the five
surviving playwrights ndash; Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides,
Aristophanes, and Menander, together with brief entries on lost
playwrights. The Guide also addresses contextual issues, such as: the
origins of the dramatic art forms; the conventions of the festivals,
the theater, and the performers; the relationship between drama and the
worship of Dionysos; the political dimension; and how to read and watch
Greek drama. The final section consists of 46 one-page synopses of each
of the surviving plays.