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Meaning & History
Means "divinely inspired, having words from god" in Ancient Greek, derived from θεός (theos) meaning divine; god, deity" and a form of εἶπον (eipon) meaning "to say, speak". Thespis was a 6th century BC poet and playwright often called the inventor of tragedy. He is credited by some sources as being the first person to appear on stage as an actor, or instead as having introduced the first principle actor in addition to the chorus. The word thespian derives from his name.