The Political Background to Aeschylean Tragedy [Paperback]

The author examines the seven extant plays of Aeschylus against the political and military background of his time. As one who himself fought at the battle of Salamis, Aeschylus was profoundly concerned with military events (the messenger speech in Persians) and potitical changes (Eumenides). In this volume, Podlecki adopted a 'historicist' approach to tragedy, adding a new dimension to the understanding of Aeschylus' poetry.

Preface to the Second Edition
Select Bibliography
Preface to the First Edition
I Introduction
II Persians
III Seven Against Thebes
IV Suppliants
V Oresteia
VI Prometheus Bound
VII Conclusion
Appendixes
A. Aeschylus on Salamis
B. The Date of the Prometheus Bound
C. Fragments, Titles, and Theories
Notes
Index

An analysis of the plays of Aeschylus, this study examines each play against the political and military background of Aeschylus' time, attempting to cast light on both the period and the dramatist.

Anthony Podlecki is a professor in the Department of Clasics at the University of British Columbia.