Greece:
- Ancient Greece is widely considered the birthplace of drama. It emerged from religious festivals honoring Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and theater.
- Thespis, a 6th-century BCE Greek poet, is often referred to as the "father of tragedy." He introduced the concept of an actor delivering lines while wearing a mask.
- In Athens, during the 5th century BCE, three major dramatic forms developed: tragedy, comedy, and satyr play. Notable playwrights included Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
Rome:
- Roman drama was heavily influenced by Greek plays but developed its own styles and themes.
- Plautus and Terence were prominent Roman playwrights known for their comedic works.
- Roman theaters were often larger and more ornate than Greek amphitheaters.
India:
- Sanskrit drama originates from the 4th century BCE, with a rich tradition of written works, including comedies, farces, and romantic plays.
- Natyashastra, attributed to the sage Bharata, is an ancient treatise on the theory and practice of Indian drama and performance arts.
China:
- Chinese drama dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1122-256 BCE).
- Peking Opera, also known as Beijing Opera, is a significant form of Chinese opera with colorful costumes, acrobatics, and stylized movements.
Japan:
- Noh (Japanese classical theater) and Kabuki, forms of theatrical performances with masks, elaborate costumes, and stylized movements, developed in the 14th and 17th centuries respectively.
In addition to these historical origins, indigenous folk traditions and rituals from various cultures around the world played crucial roles in the development of dramatic arts.