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The classic trilogy about murder, revenge and justice, as heard on BBC Radio 3 – plus a bonus documentary exploring Aeschylus's seminal Greek tragedy A chilling tale of homecoming, violent death and bloody vengeance, The Oresteia dates back to the 5th Century BC, but its themes still resonate...

Seven Against Thebes is the thrilling third play in Aeschyluss Oedipus-themed trilogy, produced in 467 BC and often referred to as the Oedipodea. This dramatic tale unfolds the fierce battle between an Argive army, led by Polynices, and the forces of Thebes under the command of Eteocles. The trilogy secured first prize at the City Dionysia, although its earlier plays, Laius and Oedipus, along with the satyr play Sphinx, have unfortunately been lost to time. After the shocking revelation that Oedipus has married his own mother and had children with her, he blinds himself and curses his sons to ...

The Oresteia is a powerful trilogy of Greek tragedies authored by Aeschylus that delves into the haunting legacy of the House of Atreus. Central to the narrative is Orestes, who embarks on a perilous journey to avenge his fathers murder, setting in motion a dramatic exploration of vengeance and justice. Recognized as the only surviving example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy, the Oresteia triumphed at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. Originally performed alongside the satyr play Proteus—which unfortunately has not endured—this collection of works has come to embody the complexities of ...

Aeschylus The Persians (Persai) stands as the earliest surviving play from his oeuvre, first performed in 472 BC. Drawing from his own experiences, particularly the pivotal Battle of Salamis, this remarkable work is distinct among Greek tragedies for its portrayal of a recent historical event. It delves into the theme of hubris, attributing Persias defeat to the arrogance of its king, Xerxes. As the second part of a now-lost trilogy that triumphed at Athens’ City Dionysia festival, with Pericles as choregos, The Persians is a profound exploration of pride and downfall. The first play, ...

In this compelling tragedy, the only surviving work from Aeschylus trilogy about the House of Oedipus, Thebes finds itself under siege by Polynices, a once-cherished prince turned adversary. Following the tumultuous departure of King Oedipus and his curse upon his sons, the brothers Polynices and Eteocles initially agreed to alternate the throne. However, Eteocles, after his year of rule, refuses to relinquish power, thereby fulfilling their fathers ominous prophecy that they would never coexist peacefully. As Polynices and his Argive army launch an assault on Thebes to reclaim his birthright,...

In The Oresteia, Aeschylus dramatizes the myth of the curse on the royal house of Argos. The action begins when King Agamemnon returns victorious from the Trojan War, only to be treacherously slain by his own wife. It ends with the trial of their son, Orestes, who slew his mother to avenge her treachery - a trial with the goddess Athena as judge, the god Apollo as defense attorney, and, as prosecutors, relentless avenging demons called The Furies.

Blood, gore, thrills, chills, and romance abound in these plays by three of the great Greek authors. Included are "Medea" by Euripides; "Antigone" by Sophocles; and "Agamemnon" by Aeschylus.

The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus concerning the end of the curse on the House of Atreus. The name derives from the character Orestes, who sets out to avenge his father's murder. The only extant example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy, the Oresteia won first prize at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. When originally performed, it was accompanied by Proteus, a satyr play that would have followed the trilogy. Proteus has not survived, however. In all likelihood the term "Oresteia" originally referred to all four plays; today it generally designates only the ...

The authorship of Prometheus Bound may be debated, but its message resonates powerfully as a testament to the spirit of free humanity challenging the often indifferent forces that govern our universe. This work stands as one of the most compelling manifestos of rebellion ever penned, captivating not just scholars of Greek drama but also a diverse range of translators since the early 19th century. Notable figures like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and activist-poet Augusta Webster have all sought to capture its essence in English. The rendition featured here is by Henry ...

The Oresteia is a powerful trilogy of Greek tragedies penned by Aeschylus that explores the resolution of the curse haunting the House of Atreus. Named after Orestes, who embarks on a quest for vengeance against his father’s murderer, this remarkable work is the only surviving example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy. It was awarded first prize at the prestigious Dionysia festival in 458 BC. Originally performed alongside the satyr play Proteus, which has unfortunately not survived, the term Oresteia likely encompassed all four plays in its inception; today, it is primarily associated ...

Whether or not it was penned by Aeschylus—a topic of much debate—Prometheus Bound stands as a profound testament to the fight for human freedom against the often overwhelming and indifferent forces that govern the universe. This work is one of the most stirring rebel manifestos ever created, resonating not only with scholars of Greek drama but also with a diverse array of translators throughout history. Notable figures such as Percy Bysshe Shelley, Henry David Thoreau, and activist-poet Augusta Webster have attempted to capture its essence in English. Among them, Elizabeth Barrett Browning...

The Oresteia is a powerful trilogy of Greek tragedies penned by Aeschylus, exploring the tragic downfall of the House of Atreus. Central to the narrative is Orestes, who embarks on a harrowing quest to avenge his fathers death. This exceptional work, the only surviving example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy, triumphed at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. While originally accompanied by the now-lost satyr play, Proteus, the term Oresteia has come to signify the surviving trilogy alone. Many regard it as Aeschylus magnum opus, delving into profound themes such as the tension between revenge ...

In the gripping play Agamemnon, we witness the tumultuous return of Agamemnon, the King of Argos, after a decade-long campaign in the Trojan War. Awaiting him at home is his cunning wife, Clytemnestra, who harbors a chilling plan for revenge against her husband. Fueled by the haunting memory of their daughter Iphigenias sacrifice and her own affair with Aegisthus—Agamemnons cousin and the last heir of a rival branch of their family—Clytemnestras thirst for vengeance intertwines with a quest for power. This classic tale of betrayal and ambition is steeped in tragedy and explores the dark ...

This Greek tragedy is based on the myth of Prometheus, a Titan who, in defiance of the gods, gives fire to mankind, an act for which he is subjected to perpetual punishment.The play consists almost entirely of speeches since the protagonist is chained throughout.

The Oresteia is a tragedy in three parts written by Aeschylus in the fifth century BCE. After a decade of warfare, Troy had fallen and Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, returned home. His wife, Queen Clytemnestra, had him killed to avenge the sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia, to obtain the crown and to marry her lover Aegisthus. This murder leads to further bloodshed when their son Orestes in turn kills Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. The trilogy consists of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides.

The Oresteia is a captivating trilogy by Aeschylus, one of ancient Greeces greatest playwrights. This powerful collection includes three plays Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Furies. It unfolds the tragic saga of the House of Atreus, a family beset by a curse that drives its members toward a fate steeped in blood and vengeance. As the story begins, the Trojan War has come to an end, and the victorious Greek general, Agamemnon, returns home to his wife, Clytemnestra. However, their reunion is marred by her unresolved anger over his sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia, made to ensure...

Agamemnon is the first part of the Oresteia trilogy by the Greek playwright Aeschylus. Each of the plays that form part of The Oresteia can stand alone, but they perfectly complement one other in a longer narrative. Agamemnon provides the seed of all the themes that are explored in part two, The Libation Bearers, and three, The Eumenides.

The earliest surviving works of ancient Greek literature, dating back to the early Archaic period, are the two epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two epics, along with the Homeric Hymns and the two poems of Hesiod, Theogony and Works and Days, comprised the major foundations of the Greek literary tradition that would continue into the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. This carefully selected collection contains: The Odyssey ; The Works and Days ; Theogony ; The Complete Poems of Sappho ; Medea ; Antigone ; Agamemnon ; The Choephori ; Eumenides.

Aeschylus’ historical tragedy Persians, with its dire warnings against the hubris of imperialist overreach, is as relevant today as it was when first presented to an Athenian audience in 472 BC. This new edition of the classic drama features a literal translation by Mark Will (translator of Fernando Pessoa’s Message) which reconstructs in contemporary English verse the epic cadences of the original Greek.

The Suppliants, also known as The Suppliant Maidens or The Suppliant Women, is a captivating play by Aeschylus, likely first performed around 470 BC. Once believed to be the earliest surviving work of Aeschylus due to the unique role of the chorus as the central figure of the story, it is now understood to be one of his later plays, created after The Persians and possibly even after Seven Against Thebes. The drama centers around the Danaids, who form the chorus and serve as the protagonists, fleeing a forced marriage to their Egyptian cousins. Upon reaching Argos, they plead with King Pelasgus...