AESCHYLUS
525 - 455 BC

Aeschylus was Athens' king of drama, a playwright, a tragedian, an artist. His plays revolutionized the theater experience for the Greeks.

Aeschylus' nickname was the Father of Tragedy.

In detail, Aeschylus was the first to set up more than one actor and a chorus in his plays. Thus far, it had been just one guy acting out all the roles (wearing different masks) and interacting with the chorus.

Aeschylus had many new ideas for stage settings and stage engineering. He also took the time to rehearse with and train his actors in both, dialogue and choreography. Aeschylus, himself an actor, was completely in the zone.

People who are able to read Aeschylus' plays in their original language tell us that its language is intense, powerful, and original, and that their plots are peppered with many twists.

But wasn't Aeschylus a bit on the pussy side, being so much involved with theater and all?

Not at all!

As a soldier, Aeschylus fought for Athens in the Battles of Marathon, Artemisium, and Salamis.

AESCHYLUS' FAMILY
Aeschylus' father was Euphorion.

Aeschylus had a brother, Cynaegeirus, or Cynaegirus or Kynegeiros, who was killed in the Battle of Marathon. Historian Justin is full of praise for Cynaegeirus, although you might differ on the teeth part, read Justin's report here.

Aeschylus had two sons, one of them was named Euphorion Jr.. Both sons also became successful playwrights.

AESCHYLUS' work
Aeschylus wrote about 90 plays and won many prizes for them. We know the titles of approx. 80 of them, but only 7 have survived.

472 BC - Persians

467 BC - Seven Against Thebes

463 BC - Suppliants

458 BC - Oresteia trilogy:

              1 - Agamemnon
              2 - Libation Bearers
              3 - Eumenides


? BC    - Prometheus Bound

Here you can read Aeschylus' works online and for free.