Aeschylus: Father of Tragedy

You have to meet the Father of Tragedy! Aeschylus was a brilliant ancient Greek tragedian

(c. 525–456 BCE) who fundamentally shaped Western drama. He is credited with

revolutionizing theater by introducing a second actor, allowing for dialogue and conflict separate

from the chorus, thereby making the plot the leading element. He was also a decorated

veteran, having fought in the crucial battles of Marathon and Salamis against

the Persians. Only seven of his estimated 70 to 90 plays survive, most famously the

trilogy The Oresteia. His works grapple with profound themes like divine justice, the cycle of vengeance,

and the relationship between gods and mortals.