Aeschylus
Aeschylus
524 av. J.-C. — 455 av. J.-C.
Athènes
Aeschylus (524–455 BC) is considered the father of Greek tragedy. He introduced a second actor on stage, revolutionizing ancient theatre. His works, most notably the Oresteia, explore divine justice and the human condition.
Famous Quotes
« In war, truth is the first casualty. »
« A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends. »
Key Facts
- Born around 524 BC in Eleusis, near Athens
- Fought at Marathon (490 BC) and likely at Salamis (480 BC)
- Introduced the second actor in tragedy, reducing the role of the chorus
- Author of nearly 90 plays, of which only 7 have survived
- Died around 455 BC in Sicily, at Gela
Works & Achievements
The only surviving Greek tragedy dealing with contemporary events, it depicts the defeat of Xerxes at Salamis as seen from the Persian court. Aeschylus himself was a witness to the battle.
The final play of a Theban trilogy, it stages the fratricidal duel between Eteocles and Polynices. It won first prize at the Dionysia festival.
A play exploring the right of asylum and the condition of women, through the story of the Danaids fleeing a forced marriage. Its recently revised dating transformed our understanding of the evolution of Greek theater.
The only complete trilogy from ancient Greece to have survived. It traces the cycle of vengeance in the house of Agamemnon, culminating in the founding of human justice embodied by the Areopagus.
A play attributed to Aeschylus depicting the Titan Prometheus punished by Zeus for giving fire to humanity. It raises fundamental questions about power, rebellion, and the human condition.
Anecdotes
Aeschylus personally fought in the battles of Marathon (490 BC) and Salamis (480 BC). He was so proud of his participation in the Persian Wars that his epitaph, which he reportedly wrote himself, made no mention of his dramatic work — only his valor in battle.
According to an ancient legend reported by Aelian, Aeschylus is said to have died when an eagle, mistaking his bald head for a rock, dropped a tortoise on it to crack open its shell. Though almost certainly apocryphal, this anecdote reflects the fascination that the ancients had with this most extraordinary of authors.
Aeschylus was the first playwright to introduce a second actor onto the stage, making dramatic dialogue between two characters possible. Before him, Greek theater featured only a single actor interacting with the chorus. This innovation permanently revolutionized the art of theater.
Aeschylus won the dramatic competition at the City Dionysia at least thirteen times over the course of his career. He is thought to have written between seventy and ninety plays, of which only seven survive, pointing to the vast scale of a body of work now largely lost.
Toward the end of his life, Aeschylus settled in Sicily at the court of Hiero of Syracuse, who welcomed many artists and poets. He died there at Gela around 455 BC, far from Athens — the very city that had brought him fame.
Primary Sources
Zeus, whoever you are, if that name pleases you, by that name I call upon you. Weighing all things in the balance, I can find nothing to compare with you — nothing, save Zeus — if I truly wish to cast aside the vain burden that weighs upon my soul.
O Zeus, king, you have destroyed the great and proud army of the Persians, and you have shrouded the cities of Susa and Ecbatana in mourning.
I know it well, I know: one who holds power is always harsh, at least toward those he has only lately come to rule. But a day will come when he grows gentler.
The city, if the gods are willing, is saved. But two brothers, two leaders of the same blood, have slain one another with their spears.
Key Places
Aeschylus's birthplace, famous for its Mysteries dedicated to Demeter. This origin deeply shaped his sensitivity to the sacred and the divine.
Athens' first stone theatre, at the foot of the Acropolis, where nearly all of Aeschylus's tragedies were first performed during the City Dionysia festival.
Site of the famous battle of 490 BC in which Aeschylus fought. He took such pride in this that he wished to be remembered as a soldier more than as a poet.
Site of the decisive naval battle of 480 BC against Xerxes' Persian fleet, brilliantly depicted in Aeschylus's play The Persians.
Greek city in Sicily where Aeschylus died around 455 BC. He had traveled there to join the court of Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse.
Gallery
Apotheosis of Homer
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
French: Les Tragiques grecs Portuguese: Os trágicos gregoslabel QS:Lfr,"Les Tragiques grecs"label QS:Lpt,"Os trágicos gregos"
Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
Le Pausanias français, ou, Description du Salon de 1806 : état des arts du dessin en France, à l'ouverture du XIXe siècle : ouvrage dans lequel les principales productions de l'école actuelle sont cl
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Chaussard, Pierre Jean-Baptiste, 1766-1823 Salon (Exhibition : Paris, France) (1806)
Traité complet de la peinture
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Paillot de Montabert, Jacques Nicolas, 1771-1849 Bossange, Hector, 1795-1884, publisher
French: Timoléon Timoleontitle QS:P1476,fr:"Timoléon "label QS:Lfr,"Timoléon "label QS:Len,"Timoleon"label QS:Lde,"Timoléon"label QS:Lnl,"Timoléon"
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Charles Meynier
Archeologico firenze, bronzi della Meloria, eschilo
Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 — sailko
Monumens inédits de l'antiquité : statues, peintures antiques, pierres gravées, bas-reliefs de marbre et de terre cuite
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Winckelmann, Johann Joachim, 1717-1768 David, François-Anne, 1741-1824 Sibire, Mlle
Monumens inédits de l'antiquité : statues, peintures antiques, pierres gravées, bas-reliefs de marbre et de terre cuite
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Winckelmann, Johann Joachim, 1717-1768 David, François-Anne, 1741-1824 Sibire, Mlle
L'Aphrodite marseillaise du Musée de Lyon : statue archaique grecque orientale du VIe siècle avant J.-C.
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain — Bazin, Hippolyte, 1855-1910 Musée des beaux-arts (Lyon, France)
Prometheus Bound sculpture
Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 — J.avanzado