Crates, Athenian Actor
CRATES, ATHENIAN ACTOR, Athenian actor and author of comedies, flourished about 470 B.C. He was regarded as the founder of Greek comedy proper, since he abandoned political lampoons on individuals, and introduced more general subjects and a well-developed plot (Aristotle, Poëtica, 5). He is stated to have been the first to represent the drunkard on the stage (Aristophanes, Knights, 37 ff.).
Not to be confused with the philosopher Crates of Athens, the successor of Polemo as leader of the Old Academy.
Fragments in Meineke, Poëtarum Comicorum Graecorum fragmenta, i.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
