The PoeticsAristotle's Poetics (Greek: ; Latin: De Poetica; 1] c. 335 BC 2]) is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory and first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. 3] In it, Aristotle offers an account of what he calls "poetry" (a term that derives from a classical Greek term, , that means "poet; author; maker" and in this context includes verse drama comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play as well as lyric poetry and epic poetry).