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The classic trilogy about murder, revenge and justice, as heard on BBC Radio 3 – plus a bonus documentary exploring Aeschylus's seminal Greek tragedy. A chilling tale of homecoming, violent death and bloody vengeance, The Oresteia dates back to the fifth century BC, but its themes still resonate today. At once a family saga, morality tale and courtroom drama, it recounts how two generations of the cursed House of Atreus become locked into a deadly cycle of atrocities....

In The Oresteia, Aeschylus dramatizes the myth of the curse on the royal house of Argos. The action begins when King Agamemnon returns victorious from the Trojan War, only to be treacherously slain by his own wife. It ends with the trial of their son, Orestes, who slew his mother to avenge her treachery - a trial with the goddess Athena as judge, the god Apollo as defense attorney, and, as prosecutors, relentless avenging demons called The Furies.

The authorship of Prometheus Bound may be debated, but its message resonates powerfully as a testament to the spirit of free humanity challenging the often indifferent forces that govern our universe. This work stands as one of the most compelling manifestos of rebellion ever penned, captivating not just scholars of Greek drama but also a diverse range of translators since the early 19th century. Notable figures like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and activist-poet Augusta Webster have all sought to capture its essence in English. The rendition featured here is by Henry ...

In the gripping play Agamemnon, we witness the tumultuous return of Agamemnon, the King of Argos, after a decade-long campaign in the Trojan War. Awaiting him at home is his cunning wife, Clytemnestra, who harbors a chilling plan for revenge against her husband. Fueled by the haunting memory of their daughter Iphigenias sacrifice and her own affair with Aegisthus—Agamemnons cousin and the last heir of a rival branch of their family—Clytemnestras thirst for vengeance intertwines with a quest for power. This classic tale of betrayal and ambition is steeped in tragedy and explores the dark ...

In Prometheus Bound, the only fully preserved tragedy from the Prometheia trilogy, we witness the powerful tale of Prometheus, who defies Jupiter to protect humanity. As he is chained to a rock for his rebellion, Prometheus finds solace in a secret that could lead to Jupiters downfall. Join us for a gripping rendition that explores themes of defiance, sacrifice, and the quest for knowledge. (Summary by Libby Gohn) Cast Narrator Charlotte Duckett, Prometheus Jason Mills, Chorus of Nymphs, daughters of Ocean Elizabeth Klett, Strength Bob Neufeld, Vulcan Alan Mapstone, Ocean Amanda Friday, Io ...

The Suppliants, also known as The Suppliant Maidens or The Suppliant Women, is a captivating play by Aeschylus, likely first performed around 470 BC. Once believed to be the earliest surviving work of Aeschylus due to the unique role of the chorus as the central figure of the story, it is now understood to be one of his later plays, created after The Persians and possibly even after Seven Against Thebes. The drama centers around the Danaids, who form the chorus and serve as the protagonists, fleeing a forced marriage to their Egyptian cousins. Upon reaching Argos, they plead with King Pelasgus...

The Oresteia is a powerful trilogy of Greek tragedies penned by Aeschylus that explores the resolution of the curse haunting the House of Atreus. Named after Orestes, who embarks on a quest for vengeance against his father’s murderer, this remarkable work is the only surviving example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy. It was awarded first prize at the prestigious Dionysia festival in 458 BC. Originally performed alongside the satyr play Proteus, which has unfortunately not survived, the term Oresteia likely encompassed all four plays in its inception; today, it is primarily associated ...

Aeschylus The Persians (Persai) stands as the earliest surviving play from his oeuvre, first performed in 472 BC. Drawing from his own experiences, particularly the pivotal Battle of Salamis, this remarkable work is distinct among Greek tragedies for its portrayal of a recent historical event. It delves into the theme of hubris, attributing Persias defeat to the arrogance of its king, Xerxes. As the second part of a now-lost trilogy that triumphed at Athens’ City Dionysia festival, with Pericles as choregos, The Persians is a profound exploration of pride and downfall. The first play, ...

Whether or not it was penned by Aeschylus—a topic of much debate—Prometheus Bound stands as a profound testament to the fight for human freedom against the often overwhelming and indifferent forces that govern the universe. This work is one of the most stirring rebel manifestos ever created, resonating not only with scholars of Greek drama but also with a diverse array of translators throughout history. Notable figures such as Percy Bysshe Shelley, Henry David Thoreau, and activist-poet Augusta Webster have attempted to capture its essence in English. Among them, Elizabeth Barrett Browning...

In this compelling tragedy, the only surviving work from Aeschylus trilogy about the House of Oedipus, Thebes finds itself under siege by Polynices, a once-cherished prince turned adversary. Following the tumultuous departure of King Oedipus and his curse upon his sons, the brothers Polynices and Eteocles initially agreed to alternate the throne. However, Eteocles, after his year of rule, refuses to relinquish power, thereby fulfilling their fathers ominous prophecy that they would never coexist peacefully. As Polynices and his Argive army launch an assault on Thebes to reclaim his birthright,...

The Oresteia is a powerful trilogy of Greek tragedies penned by Aeschylus, exploring the tragic downfall of the House of Atreus. Central to the narrative is Orestes, who embarks on a harrowing quest to avenge his fathers death. This exceptional work, the only surviving example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy, triumphed at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. While originally accompanied by the now-lost satyr play, Proteus, the term Oresteia has come to signify the surviving trilogy alone. Many regard it as Aeschylus magnum opus, delving into profound themes such as the tension between revenge ...

The Oresteia is a powerful trilogy of Greek tragedies authored by Aeschylus that delves into the haunting legacy of the House of Atreus. Central to the narrative is Orestes, who embarks on a perilous journey to avenge his fathers murder, setting in motion a dramatic exploration of vengeance and justice. Recognized as the only surviving example of an ancient Greek theater trilogy, the Oresteia triumphed at the Dionysia festival in 458 BC. Originally performed alongside the satyr play Proteus—which unfortunately has not endured—this collection of works has come to embody the complexities of ...

Step into the world of ancient Greece with Persians, a rare Greek tragedy that transcends myth to explore real historical events. As the elders of the Persian court anxiously await news from the Battle of Salamis, their hopes turn to despair when they learn of their king Xerxes defeat at the hands of the Greeks. Join us for a poignant reflection on loss, power, and the consequences of war, beautifully narrated by an engaging cast. - Summary by Libby Gohn

Longtime leader in the luxury goods sector and former Chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton North America reinvents the art and science of brand-building under the rubric of Aesthetic Intelligence. In a world in which people have cheap and easy access to most goods and services, yet...

We live in an era rife with cultural conflict. The 21st century is by no means free of wars, terrorism, riots, famine, nor epidemics. We may attempt to solve the challenges of our times by uniting the humanistic disciplines of philosophy, science, and technology. Our modern reality requires a fundamental understanding of the problems beleaguering our existence. Science and literature are key tools for gaining this insight. The wisdom accumulated throughout the centuries by scientists, philosophers, and writers is a solid foundation on which modern man can build the future.

The earliest surviving works of ancient Greek literature, dating back to the early Archaic period, are the two epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two epics, along with the Homeric Hymns and the two poems of Hesiod, Theogony and Works and Days, comprised the major foundations of the Greek literary tradition that would continue into the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. This carefully selected collection contains: The Odyssey ; The Works and Days ; Theogony ; The Complete Poems of Sappho ; Medea ; Antigone ; Agamemnon ; The Choephori ; Eumenides.

Blood, gore, thrills, chills, and romance abound in these plays by three of the great Greek authors. Included are "Medea" by Euripides; "Antigone" by Sophocles; and "Agamemnon" by Aeschylus.

Aeschylus’ historical tragedy Persians, with its dire warnings against the hubris of imperialist overreach, is as relevant today as it was when first presented to an Athenian audience in 472 BC. This new edition of the classic drama features a literal translation by Mark Will (translator of Fernando Pessoa’s Message) which reconstructs in contemporary English verse the epic cadences of the original Greek.

This collection presents the works of the three fathers of ancient Greek tragedies: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. The reader of this collection will be able to comprehend how the plots and conflicts populating classical tragedy developed. The principle theme of Aeschylus' tragedies is the idea of fate being omnipotent and the futility in struggling against it. The tragedies of Sophocles reflect the era of the Greeks' victorious war against the Persians, which opened up commercial prosperity through trade.

From the award-winning translator of The Iliad and The Odyssey comes a brilliant new translation of Virgil's great epic Fleeing the ashes of Troy, Aeneas, Achilles’ mighty foe in the Iliad, begins an incredible journey to fulfill his destiny as the founder of Rome. His voyage will take him...