This book was originally published in 1934. Beginning with Aristotle's observation that from the earliest stage Attic Comedy had 'certain definite forms', F. M. Cornford shows that these forms are clearly observable in the plays of Aristophanes and that they derived from a ritual drama common to both tragedy and comedy.

Laurence Professor of Ancient Philosophy Francis Macdonald Cornford (1874 1943)investigates the origin of Attic Comedy.