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One of Dionysus's many roles in Greek mythology was that he was the god of theatre and drama. He was the deity of transformation. This was synonymous in Greek minds with theatre. They believed that the actor was inspired and altered during their roles by God. Theatre emerged as part of the Dionysia in Athens. During the celebrations of the god, plays were staged based on mythology to honor him. Over time, they became more sophisticated, and poets began to write verse dramas. During the 5th century AD, great poets, such as Euripides, Aeschylus, Aristophanes, and Sophocles, used these plays to raise important social, political, and philosophical issues .<ref>Otto, Walter Friedrich. Dionysus: myth and cult (Indiana, Indiana University Press, 1995), p. 134</ref>.  Greek tragedy and comedy emerged out of celebrations dedicated to God, and it was critical in the development of modern drama. As we have seen, Dionysus's cult was unusual. He played a major role in the mystery religions. Many believe that these mystery cults, with their emphasis on emphasizing a personal relationship with a god and salvation, may have influenced Christianity's development.  In his work, the German Philosopher Nietzsche used Dionysian's concept to explain the importance of the irrational, emotional , and instinctual in art and life .<ref> Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Birth of Tragedy (London, Pelican, 1987), p 78</ref>. The term is now often used in critical works on art and literature.