Aristophanes

An Athenian comic playwright of the late 5th century BCE, Aristophanes is the earliest writer of comedy whose works survive in substantial form. He wrote for the dramatic festivals of classical Athens, where his plays mixed outrageous fantasy, choral spectacle, political mockery, and commentary on public life.

Several of his comedies are still widely read and performed, including The Clouds, The Birds, Lysistrata, and The Frogs. His work offers a vivid glimpse of Athens during the Peloponnesian War and after, while also showing how bold and inventive comic theater could be.

The details of his life are limited and sometimes uncertain, as is common for writers of the ancient world. He is usually dated to around 450 BCE to around 388 BCE.