Greek theatre
Know that the ancient Greeks invented theatre, performing tragedies and comedies in large open-air amphitheatres with actors wearing masks — and that plays were performed as part of religious festivals honouring the god Dionysus, with audiences of thousands
What a learner can do afterwards
- Explain that the Greeks invented theatre with two types of plays: tragedies and comedies
- Describe how Greek actors wore masks and performed in open-air amphitheatres
- Say that plays were part of festivals honouring the god Dionysus
The lesson
Long ago in ancient Greece, people invented theatre. That means they were the first to write plays and act them out on a stage for a crowd to watch.
Greek plays came in two kinds. Tragedies told sad, serious stories, often about heroes facing terrible trouble. Comedies told funny stories that made the audience laugh.
Picture a huge open-air theatre carved into a hillside, shaped like a giant bowl. Thousands of people sit on stone seats that curve around the stage, all the way up the hill, so everyone can see and hear.
The actors wear big masks over their faces. One mask might show a wide, frowning face for a sad tragedy. Another might show a big grin for a comedy. The masks help people far up in the seats tell how a character feels.
Remember why the Greeks put on these plays: it was not just for fun. Plays were performed at festivals to honour Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration.
The ancient Greeks invented theatre, performing tragedies and comedies in open-air amphitheatres, with masked actors, as part of festivals honouring the god Dionysus.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
This opens up
Nothing builds on it yet.
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.