Later, comedy, which developed in the mid-5th century BC, was also presented. The oldest extant comedies are by Aristophanes. ... By the 4th century BC comedy had supplanted tragedy as the dominant form. ... THEMES OF PLAYS As Greek culture spread in the wake of the conquests of Alexander the Great, the topical, literary comedies and philosophical tragedies became inappropriate, and domestic comedy - called Middle and New Comedy - proliferated. ... These plays are similar in plot and style to the situation comedies on television today. ...

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