Phormis
One of the originators of ancient Greek comedy

Phormis

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One of the originators of ancient Greek comedy
A.K.A.
Φόρμις
Gender:
Male
Places:
Greece
Is:
WriterComedy writer
Work field:
HumorLiterature
Birth:
(Syracuse)
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Introduction Surviving Titles and Fragments
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Biography

Introduction

Phormis (Greek: Φόρμις; fl. c. 478 BC) is one of the originators of Greek comedy, or of a particular form of it. Aristotle identified him as one of the originators of comedy, along with Epicharmus of Kos. He was said to be the first to introduce actors with robes reaching to the ankles, and to ornament the stage with skins dyed purple—as drapery it may be presumed.

Surviving Titles and Fragments

The Suda gave a list of his comedies:

  • Admetus
  • Alcinous
  • Alcyone
  • Atalante
  • Cepheus (or Kephalaia)
  • Hippos ("The Horse")
  • Iliou Porthesis ("The Sacking of Troy")
  • Perseus