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 - tragedy, comedy, and satyr play - as well as the five surviving playwrights - 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.