Who Is Aeschylus
Aeschylus Biography
Aeschylus was an ancient Greek playwright and is considered one of the founders of Western drama. He was born in Eleusis, near Athens, Greece in 525 BC and died in 456 BC. Aeschylus is best known for his trilogy of plays about the House of Atreus, which includes "Agamemnon," "The Libation Bearers," and "The Eumenides." He also wrote many other plays, including "The Persians," which is the oldest surviving Greek tragedy and deals with the Persian Wars. Aeschylus's plays were known for their grandeur and poetic language, and he was considered one of the greatest playwrights of his time. He also was known for introducing the second actor on stage, which allowed for more complex and varied dramatic interactions.
Aeschylus Fast Facts
Aeschylus was an ancient Greek playwright and one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens. Some facts about him include:
* He was born in Eleusis, Greece in 525 BC and died in 456 BC.
* He is considered one of the founders of Greek tragedy and is credited with introducing the second actor in the plays and with developing the use of the chorus.
* He wrote over 90 plays, of which only 7 have survived: "The Persians," "Seven Against Thebes," "Suppliants," "Prometheus Bound," "Agamemnon," "Libation Bearers" and "Eumenides".
* Aeschylus' plays often dealt with themes of fate, revenge and the conflict between the human and divine spheres.
* He fought in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC and later in the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC.
* Aeschylus was an innovator and is credited with introducing new elements to the Greek theater, including the use of masks, stage props, and elaborate costumes, as well as the use of the orchestra and the skene, which became an integral part of the theater.
* He was also a significant influence on later playwrights, including Sophocles and Euripides.
* He won the first prize in the City Dionysia, the most prestigious dramatic competition in ancient Athens, 13 times, more than any other playwright.
* Aeschylus was highly respected by the ancient Athenians, who considered him one of their greatest poets and playwrights.
Aeschylus Life Story Highlights
Early Life and Family Background:
Aeschylus was born around 525 BC in Eleusis, a small town located about 27 km northwest of Athens in the fertile valleys of western Attica. Some scholars suggest that his birth date might be estimated by subtracting forty years from his initial victory at the Great Dionysia festival. His family enjoyed wealth and a prominent position. His father, Euphorion, was reputedly a member of the Eupatridae, an ancient noble class in Attica. However, this claim could potentially be a fabrication by ancient sources to explain the grandeur of Aeschylus' plays.
Early Artistic Calling and Successes:
In his youth, Aeschylus worked in a vineyard. According to the 2nd-century AD geographer Pausanias, the god Dionysus appeared to him in a dream, inspiring him to dedicate himself to the emerging art form of tragedy. Upon awakening, he immediately began writing a tragedy. His debut performance occurred in 499 BC when he was 26 years old. He achieved his first victory at the City Dionysia in 484 BC.
Impact of Political Changes and the Persian Wars:
At the age of 15, around 510 BC, Aeschylus experienced Cleomenes I's expulsion of the sons of Peisistratus from Athens, leading to Cleisthenes assuming power. Cleisthenes introduced reforms that emphasized the significance of the deme (local community) over familial tradition. In the late 6th century, Aeschylus and his family resided in Eleusis.
The Persian Wars played a pivotal role in shaping Aeschylus' life and career. In 490 BC, he and his brother Cynegeirus fought to defend Athens against the invading army of Darius I of Persia at the Battle of Marathon. Athens emerged victorious, and the success was celebrated across the Greek city-states. Cynegeirus died while trying to prevent a retreating Persian ship, earning him hero status.
In 480 BC, Aeschylus again joined the military, along with his younger brother Ameinias, to combat Xerxes I's invading forces at the Battle of Salamis. He also participated in the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. Ion of Chios provided witness to Aeschylus' contributions during the Battle of Salamis. "The Persians," Aeschylus' oldest surviving play, was performed in 472 BC and prominently featured the Battle of Salamis. The play secured first prize at the Dionysia.
Involvement in the Eleusinian Mysteries and Accusations:
Aeschylus was one of numerous Greeks initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries, an ancient religious cult centered around Demeter, which was based in his hometown of Eleusis. However, he faced accusations of asebeia (impiety) for disclosing some of the cult's secrets on stage, an act considered sacrilegious.
Trial and Sicilian Sojourns:
According to certain sources, an enraged mob attempted to kill Aeschylus on the spot. He sought refuge at the altar in the orchestra of the Theater of Dionysus. He claimed ignorance during his trial and was acquitted due to his and his brothers' service during the Persian Wars. In the 470s BC, Aeschylus journeyed to Sicily on one or two occasions after being invited by Hiero I, the ruler of Syracuse, a major Greek city on the eastern side of the island. During these trips, he produced plays, including "The Women of Aetna," and restaged "The Persians."
Personal Life:
Aeschylus married and fathered two sons, Euphorion and Euaeon, both of whom became tragic poets. Euphorion achieved first prize in 431 BC, triumphing over both Sophocles and Euripides. Philocles, Aeschylus' nephew (his sister's son), was also a tragic poet, securing first prize in a competition against Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex." Aeschylus had at least two brothers, Cynegeirus and Ameinias.
Death and Legacy:
In 458 BC, Aeschylus returned to Sicily for the last time, visiting the city of Gela, where he passed away in 456 or 455 BC. Some accounts claim that he was killed when an eagle accidentally dropped a tortoise on his head, mistaking it for a suitable rock to break the shell. His work was so esteemed by Athenians that only his tragedies were permitted to be restaged in subsequent competitions after his death. His influence continued through his sons, nephew, and his contributions to theater history.
Aeschylus Works
The roots of Greek drama can be traced back to religious festivals, particularly those honoring Dionysus, the god of wine. In Aeschylus' time, dramatic competitions were integrated into the City Dionysia, held in spring. The festival commenced with a procession followed by boys singing dithyrambs. The pinnacle of the event featured two dramatic competitions. In the first competition, three playwrights presented three tragedies and one satyr play each. This format is known as a continuous tragic tetralogy. Aeschylus used this format to explore various dimensions of mythic sequences.
Involvement in Competitions and Playwright Attribution:
Aeschylus actively participated in these competitions. Between seventy and ninety plays have been attributed to him by various ancient sources. However, only seven of his tragedies have survived intact: "The Persians," "Seven Against Thebes," "The Suppliants," and the renowned trilogy "The Oresteia," which includes "Agamemnon," "The Libation Bearers," and "The Eumenides." There is also "Prometheus Bound," although its authorship is disputed. Aeschylus' surviving tragedies all won first prize at the City Dionysia.
Competitions and Legacy:
According to the "Alexandrian Life of Aeschylus," he won the first prize at the City Dionysia thirteen times. This accomplishment is remarkable, especially in comparison to his contemporaries like Sophocles (with reported eighteen victories) and Euripides (with about 90 plays and five victories).
Trilogy Structure and Connected Narratives:
A hallmark of Aeschylean drama was his penchant for crafting connected trilogies, where each play functioned as a chapter within a continuous dramatic narrative. Although "The Oresteia" is the sole extant example, evidence suggests Aeschylus frequently employed this approach. The satyr plays that followed his tragic trilogies also drew from myth.
Surviving Plays:
The plays attributed to Aeschylus encompass a wide range of themes and stories:
"The Persians" (472 BC): This play describes the recent historical event of the Persian defeat at Salamis. It highlights themes of hubris and holds Persia's loss responsible for the king's pride.
"Seven Against Thebes" (467 BC): Focused on the interference of gods in human affairs, it recounts the story of Eteocles and Polynices, sons of the shamed king of Thebes, and the tragic consequences of their conflict.
"The Suppliants" (463 BC): This play emphasizes democratic undercurrents, centering around the Danaids' escape from forced marriages and their plea for protection in Argos.
"The Oresteia" (458 BC): Aeschylus' only surviving complete trilogy. It tells the story of Agamemnon's family and includes "Agamemnon," "The Libation Bearers," and "The Eumenides." Themes explored include family, revenge, and the role of reason in shaping laws and governance.
"Prometheus Bound" (date disputed): This play is attributed to Aeschylus by ancient authorities, although doubts about this ascription have arisen. It focuses on the Titan Prometheus' punishment by Zeus for providing fire to humans.
Aeschylus' works delve into a variety of themes, ranging from historical events and family dynamics to divine intervention and human folly. His plays continue to be studied and appreciated for their profound exploration of human nature and societal dynamics.
Lost Plays of Aeschylus
Among Aeschylus' body of work, many of his plays have been lost to time, leaving behind only titles and fragmented pieces. However, these fragments, along with comments from later authors and scholiasts, have allowed for some rough synopses of these lost plays to be reconstructed.
"Myrmidons": This play was inspired by events from books 9 and 16 of the "Iliad." The play focuses on Achilles' silent indignation and anger due to his mistreatment by Agamemnon. Envoys from the Greek army try to reconcile Achilles and Agamemnon, but it's only his friend Patroclus who manages to break through to him. Patroclus then takes on Achilles' armor and fights the Trojans. The news of Patroclus' bravery and death is delivered through a messenger's speech, followed by scenes of mourning.
"Nereids": Based on events from books 18, 19, and 22 of the "Iliad," this play centers on the Daughters of Nereus, sea goddesses who mourn the death of Patroclus. A messenger recounts how Achilles, possibly reconciled with Agamemnon and the Greeks, slays Hector in battle.
"Phrygians" or "Hector's Ransom": In this play, Achilles mourns Patroclus in silence. Hermes, the messenger of the gods, brings in King Priam of Troy, who manages to win over Achilles and secure his son Hector's body. The play features a dramatic moment when Hector's body and gold are placed on a scale. This scene, known as a "coup de théâtre," is particularly noteworthy.
"Niobe": Based on Greek mythology, "Niobe" revolves around the tragic figure Niobe, whose children are killed by Apollo and Artemis due to her boasting that she has more children than Leto, their mother. Niobe spends much of the play in silent mourning on stage. The play seems to address themes of pride and divine retribution, with the line "God plants a fault in mortals when he wills to destroy a house utterly" standing out.
Influence of Aeschylus' Work
As Aeschylus began writing for the evolving theatre of ancient Greece, he made significant contributions that shaped the dramatic landscape of his time and beyond.
The theatre was in its early stages of development when Aeschylus began his work. Playwrights like Thespis had already introduced a single actor who interacted with the chorus. Aeschylus went a step further by introducing a second actor, enhancing the dramatic possibilities on stage. This innovation allowed for greater variety and complexity in storytelling, marking a departure from the chorus's central role and providing room for individual character development.
Aeschylus is often credited with introducing skenographia, or scene-decoration, although Aristotle attributes this development to Sophocles. He is also believed to have elevated the visual aspects of his plays by creating more elaborate and dramatic costumes. To enhance visibility, actors wore platform boots called cothurni. An anecdote about the first performance of "The Eumenides" suggests that Aeschylus' theatrical techniques were so powerful that they elicited strong reactions from the audience, even causing some to faint or go into labor due to the intense emotions evoked.
Aeschylus wrote his plays in verse and incorporated strong moral and religious themes. His works often focused on the relationships between humans, gods, divine law, and punishment. His renowned trilogy "The Oresteia" explored humanity's place within the cosmos in relation to the gods, emphasizing divine law and the consequences of violating it.
Aeschylus' influence was not only confined to his lifetime but extended beyond. The comic playwright Aristophanes, writing about 50 years after Aeschylus' death, praised his contributions. In "The Frogs," Aeschylus appears as a character and claims that his play "Seven against Thebes" inspired a love for warlike behavior in the audience. He also attributes to "The Persians" the teaching of Athenians to always desire victory over their enemies. According to Aeschylus, his plays inspired bravery and virtue in the Athenians.
Aeschylus' impact extended beyond Greek culture. Richard Wagner held great reverence for Aeschylus, and scholars have drawn comparisons between Wagner's "Ring" cycle and Aeschylus' "Oresteia." Aeschylus' influence is also evident in later dramatic literature, particularly French and Elizabethan drama. Notably, Eugene O'Neill's trilogy "Mourning Becomes Electra" is modeled after the structure of the "Oresteia." O'Neill recognized Aeschylus as a transformative figure in the evolution of tragic drama.
The influence of Aeschylus even reached political and societal realms. During his presidential campaign in 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy quoted Aeschylus' words from the play "Agamemnon" to address the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Kennedy's speech emphasized the need for unity, love, wisdom, and compassion in the face of division and violence. This quote remains inscribed on his memorial and serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Aeschylus' wisdom and insights on the human condition.
Aeschylus Top Quotes
"He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God."
"For know that no one is free, except Zeus."
"Memory is the mother of all wisdom." (Meaning)
"I have learned to hate all traitors, and there is no disease that I spit on more than treachery."
"It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered."
* The editor of this short biography made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any quotes, facts, or key life events. If you're looking to expand your personal development, I recommend exploring other people's life stories and gaining inspiration from my collection of inspiring quotes. Exposing yourself to different perspectives can broaden your worldview and help you with your personal growth.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
