Aeschylus

Date of Birth: 525/524 BCE

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 456/455 BCE

Biography

Aeschylus, often revered as the father of tragedy, was an ancient Greek playwright and poet born in Eleusis around 525/524 BCE. His contributions to the development of Greek drama were profound, as he is credited with expanding the number of characters in plays to allow for conflict among them, thus laying the groundwork for complex storytelling in Western literature. Aeschylus’s career spanned several decades during which he wrote an estimated 70 to 90 plays, although only seven have survived in complete form. His notable works include “The Persians,” “Seven Against Thebes,” “The Suppliants,” and the Oresteia trilogy, which remains a cornerstone of classical tragedy. Aeschylus served as a soldier in the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Salamis, experiences that deeply influenced his writing. He was celebrated in his lifetime and continues to be studied and revered for his contributions to literature and theatre.

5 Interesting Facts about Aeschylus

1. Aeschylus is believed to have been born into a wealthy and influential family in Eleusis, which was known for its religious rites and mysteries.

2. He is often credited with introducing the second actor to the stage, which allowed for dialogue and dramatic tension rather than just monologue.

3. Aeschylus’s epitaph, reportedly written by himself, only mentions his participation in the Battle of Marathon, not his theatrical achievements.

4. The Oresteia trilogy, his greatest surviving work, is the only complete trilogy of Greek tragedies that has come down to us.

5. Aeschylus’s works were not only performed in Athens but also had a profound influence on Roman drama and subsequent Western literature.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Aeschylus

1. “Wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain, drips in our hearts as we try to sleep, so men against their will learn to practice moderation.”

2. “He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.”

3. “For somehow this is tyranny’s disease, to trust no friends.”

4. “It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and counsel him that suffers.”

5. “God loves to help him who strives to help himself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As an ancient Greek playwright, Aeschylus did not accumulate wealth in the modern sense. His highest form of “net worth” was the significant esteem and recognition he received in his lifetime and the enduring legacy of his works.

Children

Aeschylus had two sons, Euphorion and Euaeon. Both followed in their father’s footsteps and became playwrights, with Euphorion winning first prize at the City Dionysia festival with plays attributed to his father.