<P> Lyric poetry received its name from the fact that it was originally sung by individuals or a chorus accompanied by the instrument called the lyre . Despite the name, however, the lyric poetry in this general meaning was divided in four genres, two of which were not accompanied by cithara, but by flute . These two latter genres were elegiac poetry and iambic poetry . Both were written in the Ionic dialect . Elegiac poems were written in elegiac couplets and iambic poems were written in iambic trimeter . The first of the lyric poets was probably Archilochus of Paros, circa 700 BC, the most important iambic poet . Only fragments remain of his work, as is the case with most of the poets . The few remnants suggest that he was an embittered adventurer who led a very turbulent life . </P> <P> Many lyric poems were written in the Aeolic Dialect . Lyric poems often employed highly varied poetic meters . The most famous of all lyric poets were the so - called "Nine Lyric Poets ." Of all the lyric poets, Sappho of Lesbos (c. 630 - c. 570 BC) was by far the most widely revered . In antiquity, her poems were regarded with the same degree of respect as the poems of Homer . Only one of her poems, "Ode to Aphrodite," has survived to the present day in its original, completed form . In addition to Sappho, her contemporary Alcaeus of Lesbos was also notable for monodic lyric poetry . The poetry written by Alcman was considered beautiful, even though he wrote exclusively in the Doric dialect, which was normally considered unpleasant to hear . The later poet Pindar of Thebes was renowned for his choral lyric poetry . </P> <P> All surviving works of Greek drama were composed by playwrights from Athens and are written exclusively in the Attic dialect . Choral performances were a common tradition in all Greek city - states . The Athenians credited a man named Thespis with having invented drama by introducing the first actor, whose primary purpose was to interact with the leader of the chorus . Later playwrights expanded the number of actors to three, allowing for greater freedom in storytelling . </P> <P> In the age that followed the Greco - Persian Wars, the awakened national spirit of Athens was expressed in hundreds of tragedies based on heroic and legendary themes of the past . The tragic plays grew out of simple choral songs and dialogues performed at festivals of the god Dionysus . In the classical period, performances included three tragedies and one pastoral drama, depicting four different episodes of the same myth . Wealthy citizens were chosen to bear the expense of costuming and training the chorus as a public and religious duty . Attendance at the festival performances was regarded as an act of worship . Performances were held in the great open - air theater of Dionysus in Athens . The poets competed for the prizes offered for the best plays . </P>

What did all ancient greek city states have in common
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