Solon forewarned Thespis, that the effects of such plays, as he saw him act, would become in time injurious to the morals of mankind, and he forbade him to act again.

The Athenians, though such performances were afterwards allowed, would never permit any of their judges to compose a comedy.

The Spartans under Lycurgus, who were the most virtuous of all the people of Greece, would not suffer either tragedies or comedies to be acted at all.

Plato, as he had banished music, so he banished theatrical exhibitions from his pure republic.

Seneca considered, that vice made insensible approaches by means of the stage, and that it stole on the people in the disguise of pleasure.