22/04/2018 · Canislupus. 04/22/2018. Arts. High School. answer. answered. The name 'thespian' is used to describe this Ancient Greek artist who is considered to be the first actor. A. Socrates.

According to tradition, the Greek dramatist Thespis, of the 6th century B.C., was the inventor of tragedy and the first to write roles for the individual actor as distinct from the chorus, and the actor's exchanges with the chorus were the first dramatic dialogue.

Thespis was an Ancient Greek poet. He was born in the ancient city of Icarius. According to certain Ancient Greek sources and especially Aristotle, he was the first person ever to appear on stage as an actor playing a character in a play. In other sources, he is said to have introduced the first principal actor in addition to the chorus. He is often called the "Inventor of Tragedy". …

thespian (adj.) 1670s, "of or pertaining to tragedy or dramatic acting," from Greek Thespis, semi-legendary 6c. B.C.E. poet of Icaria in Attica, often called the Father of Greek Tragedy. The literal meaning of the name is "inspired by the gods."