The theatre contest at the City Dionysia was originally focused on tragic performances. However, in order to accommodate comedy pieces at the festivals, a separate competition was introduced specifically for comedic plays. This allowed for a more diverse range of performances to be showcased at the festival, catering to a wider audience and showcasing the talents of both tragic and comedic playwrights. Over time, the comedic competition gained popularity and became an integral part of the City Dionysia festival alongside the tragic performances.
