Aristophanes

Aristophanes was an Athenian comic playwright and one of the leading voices of Old Comedy. He is generally dated to around 446–386 BCE, a period marked by war, political upheaval, and major changes in Athenian society.

Around eleven of his plays survive, including The Clouds, The Birds, Lysistrata, The Frogs, and The Assemblywomen. His work used extravagant plots, fantasy, music, and sharp ridicule to examine public figures, education, war, democracy, literature, and everyday life.

Although much of his humor was rooted in the politics and culture of classical Athens, his imaginative storytelling and fearless comic style have kept his plays in performance and study around the world.