Who is considered the first comic poet in the history of theater?

The first comic poet in the history of theater is widely recognized as Susarion. He is credited with being a pioneer of the genre of comedy in ancient Greek theater. His works, although not surviving in full, are known to have laid the groundwork for later comedic playwrights. Susarion's contributions were significant because he introduced elements of comedic performance that diverged from the more serious and tragic themes prevalent in earlier theatrical forms.

The significance of Susarion's work is that it opened the door for other comedic playwrights, like Aristophanes and Menander, to build upon his foundations, further developing the art of comedy in theater. The innovations of Susarion set the stage for the comedic conventions and styles that would become prominent in ancient Greek culture, influencing not only his contemporaries but also the evolution of comedy in Western literature.