![]() Indeed, the events and triumphant outcome of the wars are covered from a Persian perspective (as imagined by the Greeks) in Aeschylus’ play Persians. He belonged to the revered generation of Athenians who had fought in the Persian Wars, participating in the battle of Marathon in 490 and perhaps also in the naval battle of Salamis in 480. Written more than half a century after his death, Frogs is revealing of the contemporary reception of Aeschylus. ![]() Aeschylus, who claims he inspired his fellow Athenians to be more noble and warlike through the subject matter of his plays, is finally sent back to the world of the living to assist and educate the state. Not only are his lines considered "weightier" (in a joke established by means of an actual balance), but the advice he has for the troubled state of Athens is far more practical. Euripides manages to get in quite a few insults – he paints the style of the older tragedian as bombastic and repetitive – but ultimately Aeschylus is declared the winner. When another tragedian, the recently deceased Euripides, descends into the underworld and claims the throne for himself, a contest between the two playwrights ensues with Dionysus presiding as the judge. ![]() ![]() When the god Dionysus enters the underworld in Aristophanes’ comedy Frogs, he discovers that the most talented person in every field of art holds there a seat of honor and that Aeschylus holds the chair of tragedy. ![]() 1st Century BCE Roman copy of 4th Century BCE original. ![]()
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