Modern performance of Persians at Epidaurus (Source: utexas.edu) Aeschylus was probably born at Eleusis (at ?525 BC), fought in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) and perhaps also at Salamis (480 BC), which is described in detail as the battle in Persians. He wrote 70-90 plays, 7 of which have survived in medieval manuscripts. Substantial fragments survive of 2 more plays. His earlier plays (Persians, being the earliest surviving Greek play, included) are designed without a skēnē (stage building). His idea of tragedy is, in a way, a bit optimistic: all human suffering can ultimately be put down to 'some evil or foolish action' (e.g. ill-advised decisions, hubris, not caring about oracular warnings). The consequences of these actions, however, spread like fire and reach the descendants of the perpetrator and, in the end, the whole community, even though they are not to blame. (Main source throughout blog entry: OCCC)
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(Source: Index) Read the article on Archaeology Daily. Note: This is the first time I've heard that Pericles died of typhoid fever. He died in the 'plague' (an unidentified disease according to my course books and the lectures I've heard) that swept through Athens during the Peloponnesian War, killing many. The Archaeology Daily article mentions that it was identified as typhoid in 2006. Apparently my A275 coursebook (The World of Athens) and A219 coursebook (The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilisation) are 4 years behind! |
AuthorHave studied A219 Exploring the Classical World and A275 Reading Classical Greek at the Open University. Currently studying for a Psychology degree. ImagesPlease click on any image to be taken to its source.
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