How Long Ago Did Greek Theatre Begin?

Greek Theatre|Theater

The ancient Greeks had a strong appreciation for the performing arts, and this is clearly seen in their development of theatre. Theatre has been around since ancient Greek times, and is still a popular form of entertainment today.

Greek theatre began in the 6th century BCE, and it was heavily influenced by mythology and religion. The earliest known Greek theatres were built on the south side of a hill near Athens, and they featured an open-air design that allowed audiences to watch performances from all sides.

The first known playwright was Thespis, who wrote tragedies about gods and heroes. He was followed by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; these three writers are often referred to as the “great tragedians” of ancient Greece.

The plays they wrote were typically based on myths or stories from Homer’s epic poem The Iliad or The Odyssey. They used props such as masks and costumes to bring their stories to life, and they even incorporated music into some of their plays.

Theatre wasn’t just used for entertainment; it also served an educational purpose. Ancient Greeks believed that theatre could teach people important lessons about morality and justice.

This idea was known as catharsis: a powerful emotional release that comes from watching a play or experiencing a tragedy. Plays were also used to honor gods such as Dionysus, Apollo and Athena; many cities held festivals dedicated to these gods in which plays were performed as offerings of thanksgiving or supplication for protection from enemies or natural disasters.

Theatre became increasingly popular throughout the 5th century BCE, when more permanent structures were built to accommodate larger audiences. It eventually spread throughout Greece, with theatres popping up in cities like Sparta, Corinth and Argos. By the 4th century BCE, Greek theatre had become an important part of public life; it was so popular that even slaves were allowed to attend performances in certain cities!

Greek theatre is still influential today; many modern theatres are based on ancient designs, with some even incorporating aspects of Greek architecture into their constructions. Even the structure of modern plays is often based on ancient models: comedies typically have five acts while tragedies have three acts with a resolution at the end.

So how long ago did Greek theatre begin? It started somewhere around 600 BCE in Athens, Greece—around 2,600 years ago—and its influence can still be felt today!

Conclusion:Greek theatre began around 600 BCE (2,600 years ago) in Athens Greece and has been an influential form of entertainment ever since then- influencing modern day design structures such as those found in theatres we know today!