I desire to thank the editors for permission, graciously granted, to use material which I have already published in _Classical Philology_, V (1910), VII (1912), and VIII (1913), the _Classical Weekly_, III (1910), VIII (1915), X (1917), and XI (1918), and the _Classical Journal_, VII (1911) and X (1914). Needless to state, these papers have not been brought over into the present volume verbatim, but have been curtailed, expanded, revised, and rearranged according to need. Furthermore, fully two-thirds of the book are entirely new. Permission to quote from Mr. A. S. Way’s translation of Euripides in the “Loeb Classical Library,” Dr. B. B. Rogers’ translation of Aristophanes, and Professor J. S. Blackie’s translation of Aeschylus in “Everyman’s Library” has been courteously granted by William Heinemann, London (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York), G. Bell & Sons, and J. M. Dent & Sons, respectively. To my friends, Professor D. M. Robinson of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. A. S. Cooley of Bethlehem, Pa., I am indebted for having placed at my disposal their collections of photographs of Greek theaters. My colleague, Professor M. R. Hammer of the Northwestern University College of Engineering, has put me under deep obligation by supervising the preparation of several of the drawings. In conclusion, my heartiest thanks are due to Professor Edward Capps, who first introduced me to the study of scenic antiquities. Several parts of this book, when originally published as articles, have enjoyed the benefit of his invaluable suggestions and criticisms. It is unnecessary to add, however, that he must not be held responsible for any part of them in their present form. ROY C. FLICKINGER EVANSTON, ILL. CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xxv INTRODUCTION 1 The Origin of Tragedy 1 The Origin of Comedy 35 The Greek Theater 57 CHAPTER I. THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS ORIGIN 119 II. THE INFLUENCE OF CHORAL ORIGIN 133 III. THE INFLUENCE OF ACTORS 162 IV. THE INFLUENCE OF FESTIVAL ARRANGEMENTS 196 V. THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONS 221 VI. THE INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONS (_Continued_): THE UNITIES 246 VII. THE INFLUENCE OF NATIONAL CUSTOMS AND IDEAS 268 VIII. THE INFLUENCE OF THEATRICAL MACHINERY AND DRAMATIC CONVENTIONS 284