Aeschylus Flashcards
(15 cards)
What was Aeschylus’ heritage?
His father Euphorion was apparently a member of the Eupatridae, the ancient nobility of Attica
What is the myth about the beginning of Aeschylus’ career?
He was working in a vineyard when Dionysus came to him in a dream and told him to turn his attention to the nascent art of tragedy. As soon as he awoke, he began to write.
When was the first performance of a play by Aeschylus?
In 499 BC when he was only around 26.
When did Aeschylus win his first victory at the City Dionysia?
484BC
What happened to Aeschylus in the first Persian war, 490 BC?
Aeschylus and his brother fought in the war defending Athens from Darius I at the Battle of Marathon. Aeschylus’ bro died a hero.
What happened to Aeschylus in 480 BC when Xerxes invaded?
He fought at the battle of Salamis and possibly at the battle of Plataea in 479. Salamis holds a prominent place in his play the Persians.
What were the Eleusinian Mysteries?
A cult of Demeter which Aeschylus entered and is thought to have revealed their secrets onstage. The audience tried to kill him and he fled.
What happened at Aeschylus’ trial for revealing the secrets of the Eleusinian Mysteries?
He plead ignorance and was acquitted.
Where did Aeschylus visit regularly and what happened on his visit there in 456/455 BC?
Sicily; he died there. It is reported he was killed by a falling object, possibly a turtle according to Valerius Maximus.
Who were Aeschylus’ sons?
Euphorion and Euaeon both of whom become tragic poets.
Name the seven works of Aeschylus’ which survive
- Persians
- the Orestaia (Agamemnon, the Libation Bearers, the Eumenides)
- Seven Against Thebes
- the Suppliants
- Prometheus Bound
How many times is Aeschylus said to have won the City Dionysia?
13
What’s so interesting about the Persians?
It’s the only history tragedy that survives. It’s also the oldest
According to Aristotle, what change to tragedy did Aeschylus make?
He expanded the number of characters in a theatre to add conflict among them
Where and when was Aeschylus born?
Circa 525BC in Eleusjs, a small town northwest of Athens.
