Early theatre is a term that refers to the theatrical art form that was prevalent before the advent of modern theatre. Some synonyms for early theatre include ancient theatre, classical theatre and traditional theatre. The earliest form of theatre was performed in ancient Greece, with prominent playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. Ancient Roman theatre also played a significant role in the evolution of early theatre. Traditional theatre includes various forms such as Indian classical dance-drama, Kabuki of Japan and Chinese opera. These forms of theatre were performed for different purposes such as religious rituals, political propaganda, and simple entertainment. Despite the diversity in style and medium, they all share a common trait, which is their focus on storytelling and performance.