Who is the first known female playwright?

It's difficult to definitively say who the first known female playwright is, as records from ancient times are incomplete and sometimes contested.

Here are some of the contenders, each with their own claims to fame:

* Hrotsvit of Gandersheim (c. 935 - c. 1002): Often considered the first known female playwright in Western Europe. She was a German Benedictine nun who wrote six plays in Latin, primarily based on Christian themes.

* Sappho (c. 630 - c. 570 BC): A Greek poet known for her lyrical works, including some that are believed to have been dramatic performances. However, very little of her work survives.

* The "Sappho of Alexandria" (1st century BC): An anonymous Greek playwright mentioned by ancient historians. While some scholars speculate about their identity, their work is lost.

Ultimately, the title of "first known female playwright" is debated and depends on how you define "playwright" and which historical sources you consider. Hrotsvit is widely recognized as a pioneer due to the surviving body of her work, but the true answer may be lost to time.