Aeschylus
,_center_for_the_Eleusinian_Mysteries,_Eleusis_(8191841684).jpg)
Aeschylus (c. 525/524 – c. 456/455 BC) was an ancient Greek tragedian. He is often described as the father of tragedy. According to Aristotle, he expanded the number of characters in theater to allow for conflict among them; previously, characters interacted only with the chorus.
Life[edit | edit source]
Aeschylus was born in Eleusis, a small town about 27 kilometers northwest of Athens. His family was wealthy and well-established. He participated in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC and possibly the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC. His epitaph commemorates his participation in the Battle of Marathon, but makes no mention of his success as a playwright.
Works[edit | edit source]
Aeschylus wrote approximately 70 to 90 plays, but only seven have survived intact:
- The Persians
- Seven Against Thebes
- The Suppliants
- The Oresteia (a trilogy consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides)
- Prometheus Bound (attributed to Aeschylus, though its authorship is disputed)
The Oresteia[edit | edit source]
The Oresteia is Aeschylus's most famous work and the only complete trilogy of Greek tragedies that has survived. It deals with the end of the curse on the House of Atreus.
Influence[edit | edit source]
Aeschylus's work has had a profound influence on the development of drama. He is credited with introducing the second actor, which allowed for greater dramatic dialogue. His innovations in stagecraft and use of the chorus set the foundation for future playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Aeschylus's influence extends beyond the realm of theater. His works have been studied for their literary and historical significance. Modern adaptations and performances of his plays continue to be staged around the world.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Greek Tragedy
- Sophocles
- Euripides
- Aristophanes
- Ancient Greek Theatre
- Battle of Marathon
- Battle of Salamis
Categories[edit | edit source]
 | This Ancient Greek biographical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
