Physical violence, of comic sort, has antecedents in different genres of ancient Greek literature. Criticism has associated the origins of ancient slapstick with popular farce, but the resource is found in epic, fable, yambo and comedy. This work records antecedents of comic beating in different genres and studies its particular and common features, from an analytical and theoretical perspective. The resource, especially effective in channeling hostile impulses and suppressing empathy, acquires a topical and punitive value in Greek literary tradition and, in particular, in aristophanic comedy, a remarkable argumentative potential.