Persians

Aeschylus (c.525–c.456 BC), translated by Theodoridis, G., (contributor-contact-email)

Aeschylus’ The Persians, written in 472 BC, dramatises the historical defeat of the Persian Empire at the hands of the Greeks, particularly focusing on the Battle of Salamis. Set in Susa, which at that time was one of the capitals of the Persian Empire, the play opens with a chorus of elderly Susans and Queen Mother Atossa, who anxiously await news of King Xerxes’ campaign against Greece.

The narrative gathers pace with the arrival of a messenger who vividly recounts the Persian loss at Salamis, including the death of Persian generals and Xerxes’ escape. Following this, Atossa, at the tomb of her late husband Darius, summons his ghost, who criticizes Xerxes’ arrogance and the hubris of his decision to bridge the Hellespont. Darius foretells the further Persian defeat at Plataea. The play concludes with Xerxes’ return in despair, wearing torn clothes, symbolizing the completeness of the Persian defeat. The interaction between Xerxes and the chorus portrays the magnitude of the loss, reflecting on themes of personal conceit, divine retribution, and the downfall of empires.

Author Details

The ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus (c. 525–c. 456 BC) is credited as being the originator of the Greek tragic drama.

Born in Eleusis, in western Attica near Athens, Aeschylus was raised in a prosperous family, with his father, Euphorion, being a member of the ancient noble class of Attica, the Eupatridae.

Aeschylus initially worked in a vineyard, but experienced an epiphany when, according to the 2nd-century AD geographer Pausanias, the god Dionysus appeared to him in a dream - instructing him to pursue the nascent art of the theatrical tragedy. Aeschylus took this divine guidance to heart and began writing his first tragedy, which was performed in 499 BC when he was 26 years old. His talent quickly gained recognition, and he achieved his first prize at the City Dionysia contest in 484 BC.

Aeschylus’ life was interwoven with significant historical events. In 490 BC, he fought in the Battle of Marathon, defending Athens against the invading Persian army. His military service continued during the Persian Wars, with notable participation in the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC, and the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC.

Aeschylus’ dramatic innovations included more expansive casts, allowing for complex interactions and conflicts. He is also credited with introducing trilogies, where three interconnected plays formed a cohesive narrative. His famous trinity, “The Oresteia,” consisting of “Agamemnon,” “The Libation Bearers,” and “The Eumenides,” explored themes of justice, vengeance, and the role of the gods in human affairs.

Despite his military and literary achievements, Aeschylus faced controversy in his later years when, according to Aristotle, he was accused of impiety for revealing the secrets of the Eleusinian Mysteries in one of his plays. However, he was acquitted, thanks in part to his distinguished record of military service.

Aeschylus died in Gela, Sicily, in 456 or 455 BC. His theatrical legacy was one of structural and thematic innovations that paved the way for future playwrights. Although only a few of his plays have survived intact, they remain as enduring classics of ancient Greek tragic theatre.

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Theodoridis, G.,

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