1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Ancient / Classical History

Drama - Comedy - Tragedy - Playwrights

Resources on the ancient Greek and Roman dramatists, particularly the great tragedians, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and the great comic playwrights, Aristophanes, Plautus and Terence.

Return to Language and Literature Index | Greek Literature Index | Classical Literature
Greek Theater Study Guide
The origins of Greek drama are debated and may never be known for sure, but it is thought that they developed out of a form of ritual worship that involved a chorus of men, possibly dressed as horses, connected with the vegetation god Dionysus.
Oedipus Online Resources
Resources on the story of Oedipus, the Oedipal complex, and Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.
Aeschylus
Basic information on Aeschylus and Greek tragedy.
Latin Literature - Early Epic and Tragedy
With the cessation of the Punic Wars, Rome had the leisure and motivation to develop its own brand of literary culture. This is a chapter from J.W. Mackail's Latin Literature.
Antigone, by Sophocles
Sophocles' tragedy about Antigone, the daughter and sister of King Oedipus.
Aristophanes - Greek Old Comedy
Aristophanes, the only extant writer of Athenian Old Comedy, wrote over forty plays of which 11 survive. In them he attacks war, the political leader Cleon, the jury system, and the educational system known as sophism.
Oedipus
Resources on the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles.
Sophocles (Sophokles)
Long-lived second of the three great Athenian tragedians, Sophocles wrote the famous Oedipus trilogy.
Timeline of Latin Literature
Timeline of Latin literature from Livius Andronicus to the death of Livius Andronicus.

Explore Ancient / Classical History

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Ancient / Classical History
  4. Latin / Ancient Writing
  5. Classical Literature
  6. Theatre - Drama

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.