During the 5th century, the theatre was first used as a regular site for theatrical performances of plays written by the great tragic poets, such as Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles. The theater was a place to honor god Dionysus and the plays were performed as part of these celebrations. In fact, a large statue of the god had been placed in the front row so that the god himself could watch the plays and the sacrifices to his name. Source: www.greeka.com