Acharnians

Aristophanes (c.446–c.386 BC), translated by Theodoridis, G., (contributor-contact-email)

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The Acharnians, the third and oldest of the eleven surviving plays by Athenian playwright Aristophanes, was first performed in 425 BC. Produced by Callistratus, it won first place at the Lenaia festival. The play centres on Dikaiopolis, an Athenian who secures a personal peace treaty with Sparta, enjoying peace despite opposition from fellow Athenians. It is noted for its absurd humour and its call for an end to the Peloponnesian War. Aristophanes also uses the play to assertively respond to political criticisms, particularly from figures like Cleon, who had attacked his earlier play, The Babylonians. The Acharnians exemplifies Old Comedy, a satirical genre, and stands as one of its earliest surviving examples.

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Theodoridis, G.,

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