Aristophanes (446 BC, 386 BC), ancient Greek comic playwright. His plays provide the only real examples of a genre of comic drama known as Old Comedy, and they are used to define the genre. Known as the Father of Comedy and the Prince of Ancient Comedy, Aristophanes has been said to recreate the life of ancient Athens more convincingly than any other author. Less is known about Aristophanes than about his plays. In fact, his plays are the main source of information about him. Engraving from 1893.