<P> The ancient Greek drama was a theatrical culture that flourished in ancient Greece from c. 700 BC . The city - state of Athens, which became a significant cultural, political, and military power during this period, was its center, where it was institutionalised as part of a festival called the Dionysia, which honoured the god Dionysus . Tragedy (late 500 BC), comedy (490 BC), and the satyr play were the three dramatic genres to emerge there . Athens exported the festival to its numerous colonies and allies in order to promote a common cultural identity . </P> <P> The word τραγῳδία (tragoidia), from which the word "tragedy" is derived, is a compound of two Greek words: τράγος (tragos) or "goat" and ᾠδή (ode) meaning "song", from ἀείδειν (aeidein), "to sing". This etymology indicates a link with the practices of the ancient Dionysian cults . It is impossible, however, to know with certainty how these fertility rituals became the basis for tragedy and comedy . </P>

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