Ancient Greek literature is the beginning of European literature. Its literature can be divided into four stages.
1, the first stage: BC 12 years-8th century.
This is the transitional period from clan society to slavery society, which is called "Homer Age" or "Hero Age" in history. The main literary achievements are myths and epics.
2. The second stage: 8th-6th century BC.
In the process of the formation of slavery society, literary achievements include lyric poems, essays and fables. Lyric poetry is a form of poetry after the disintegration of clan society. People without clan protection get rid of the shackles of clan consciousness and the tradition of attaching importance to collective feelings, and personal experiences have triggered various complex emotions. Lyrics expressing personal freedom and independence are developing day by day. Lyrics originated from folk songs, mostly accompanied by double pipes, flutes and harps. The main genres are elegy, satire and harp songs, which reflect the taste of the upper class aristocrats. The famous solo poet is Sappho (6 BC10-? ) and Aracri Weng (550-465 BC), while Pinda (522-442 BC) was a lyric poet in chorus.
3. The third stage: 6th-4th century BC.
The heyday of the slave city-state is called the "classical period" in history. The literature of this period mainly refers to Athenian literature, and its literary achievements include tragedy, comedy and literary theory, among which drama is the greatest achievement.
4. The fourth stage: from the end of 4th century BC to the middle of 2nd century.
The decline of slavery is also called "Hellenistic period". The main achievement of literature is the new comedy. The representative playwright was Minand (342-292 BC) who wrote family comedies.
In BC 146, Greece was destroyed by Rome, which declared the end of the Hellenistic era.