A red-figure bell-krater from Paestum 360-340 BCE. In a scene from Greek comedy, Dionysos is depicted with a comic actor balancing a basket on his head. The actor is in typical costume - padded stomach, added phallus and bearded mask.
Comedy comes from the Greek word “komoidia”, which means “party song”. It began to become popular during the 5th century BC, and soon, it’s grown enough in popularity that a festival (The Lenaea) was created. However, the festival was only for Athenians, and no one else was allowed. Comedies were written in response to the questions and problems, and took place in contemporary Athens instead of in the past (tragedy). It also often relied on effects and costumes (eg. padded stomachs, butts, or phalluses). Most comedies had stories about how the everyday “common man” struggled to rise up, and others dealt with notable figures with serious dilemmas. Furthermore, most of these dramas ends with a resolution, whether it was a compromise, peace treaty, or marriage.