When were plays held in ancient Greece?



Greek theatre began in the 6th century BCE in Athens with the performance of tragedy plays at religious festivals.

How long did Greek plays last?

As it was not unusual for the theatrical performances to last from ten to twelve hours, the spectators required refreshments, and we find that, in the intervals between the several plays, they used to take wine and cakes.

Why were plays performed in ancient Greece?

Greek plays were performed as part of religious festivals in honor of the god Dionysus, and unless later revived, were performed only once. Plays were funded by the polis, and always presented in competition with other plays, and were voted either the first, second, or third (last) place.

Did the Greeks perform plays?





The Ancient Greeks took their entertainment very seriously and used drama as a way of investigating the world they lived in, and what it meant to be human. The three genres of drama were comedy, satyr plays, and most important of all, tragedy.

When did ancient Greek theater end?

When Did The Greek Theater End? From 550 BC to 220 BC, ancient Greek theatre flourished. The beginning of modern theatre was marked by the performance of many ancient Greek plays. The genres they invented included tragedy (late 6th century BC), comedy (486 BC), and satyr plays (480 BC).

Where were the Greek plays performed?

The first plays were performed in the Theatre of Dionysus, built in the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens at the beginning of the 5th century, but theatres proved to be so popular they soon spread all over Greece. Drama was classified according to three different types or genres: comedy, tragedy and satyr plays.

When were plays invented?

5th century





The first plays were performed in the Theatre of Dionysus, built in the shadow of the Acropolis in Athens at the beginning of the 5th century, but theatres proved to be so popular they soon spread all over Greece. Drama was classified according to three different types or genres: comedy, tragedy and satyr plays.

How did drama begin?

The earliest origins of drama are to be found in Athens where ancient hymns, called dithyrambs, were sung in honor of the god Dionysus. These hymns were later adapted for choral processions in which participants would dress up in costumes and masks.