* Social Restrictions on Women: Athenian society was patriarchal. Women had limited public roles and were largely confined to the domestic sphere. Appearing on stage, a very public and often overtly sexualized arena, would have been considered highly inappropriate and scandalous.
* Religious Context of Theatre: Greek theatre was closely tied to religious festivals, particularly the Dionysia in honour of the god Dionysus. The rituals and performances held a sacred quality, and women's participation might have been deemed to violate religious purity or decorum.
* Chorus Structure: The chorus, a significant element of Greek tragedy and comedy, involved a large group of performers. Organizing and managing a chorus of women would have presented logistical and social challenges far greater than using men.
* Physical Limitations (Debated): Some scholars suggest that the physical demands of certain roles, particularly those requiring athleticism or significant movement, might have contributed to the exclusion of women, although this is a less central argument compared to the socio-religious factors.
In short, the exclusion of women from acting in ancient Greek theatre was a direct consequence of the deeply ingrained patriarchal structure of Athenian society and the religious significance of the theatrical performances.