Author
Aristophanes
-450--388
Aristophanes (-450--388) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Aristophanes
Lysistrata
"Lysistrata" by Aristophanes is an ancient Greek comedy first staged in 411 BCE. When the Peloponnesian War drags on endlessly, an Athenian woman named Lysistrata devises a bold plan: convince women from all warring Greek city-states to withhold sex from their husbands until peace is negotiated. Leading a rebellion that includes seizing the Acropolis and its treasury, Lysistrata sparks a battle between the sexes that tests whether desire or duty will prevail in this audacious comedy about war and power.
Comedias, tomo 3 de 3 : $b Las Fiestas de Ceres, las Ranas, las Junteras, Pluto
"Comedias, tomo 3 de 3 : Las Fiestas de Ceres, las Ranas, las Junteras, Pluto" is a collection of comedic plays written in the late 19th century. This volume features works attributed to Aristophanes, known for his sharp humor and satire, particularly targeting the playwright Euripides and societal norms of ancient Greece. The themes of this collection revolve around gender dynamics, artistic critique, and a blend of mythological elements and contemporary commentary. The opening portion of the first play, "Las Fiestas de Ceres," introduces Mnesíloco, the father-in-law of Euripides, who is drawn into a comedic scheme to save Euripides from the wrath of women angered by the playwright's portrayal of them in his tragedies. Mnesíloco’s involvement in a women’s festival leads to humorous misunderstandings and a series of interactions with other characters, including Euripides, who concocts a plan involving disguises to rescue him. The banter highlights Aristophanes' use of wordplay and his typical critique of male-female relationships and theatrical conventions, setting the stage for a farcical yet thought-provoking exploration of these themes.
The Birds
"The Birds" by Aristophanes is a comedy performed in 414 BC at the City Dionysia in Athens. Two Athenians, fed up with city life, convince the birds to build a magnificent city in the sky and reclaim their ancient status as the original gods. Led by the clever Pisthetaerus, the birds prepare to challenge the Olympian gods themselves. What follows is a fantastical tale of ambition, transformation, and cosmic power struggles, filled with colorful avian characters and surprising visitors.
The Clouds
"The Clouds" by Aristophanes is a Greek comedy play written in 423 BC. This satirical work lampoons intellectual fashions in classical Athens, centering on a debt-ridden father who enrolls in Socrates' school—The Thinkery—to learn how to twist arguments and outwit his creditors. When he proves too old to learn, his son must take his place. Considered the world's first "comedy of ideas," the play remains notorious for its caricature of Socrates, later cited as contributing to the philosopher's trial and execution.
The Acharnians
"The Acharnians" by Aristophanes is a comedy produced in 425 BC. When Dikaiopolis grows weary of the Peloponnesian War, he secures a private peace treaty with the Spartans for himself alone. His decision enrages fellow Athenians, especially aged war veterans from Acharnae who despise anyone speaking of peace. Through absurd humor and bold satire, Aristophanes crafts an imaginative appeal for ending the war while defending himself against political attacks on his previous work.
The Frogs
"The Frogs" by Aristophanes is a comedy performed in 405 BC. The god Dionysus journeys to the underworld with his slave Xanthias to rescue the playwright Euripides, hoping to save Athenian theater from decline. Along the way, Dionysus disguises himself as Heracles and faces comical mishaps. In Hades, he judges a fierce debate between Euripides and Aeschylus over who deserves the throne of tragic poetry, blending irreverent humor with sharp commentary on literature and Athenian politics.
Peace
"Peace" by Aristophanes is an Athenian Old Comedy written in 421 BC. A middle-aged Athenian flies to heaven on a giant dung beetle to rescue Peace from imprisonment and end the Peloponnesian War. His mission earns farmers' gratitude while bankrupting war profiteers. The play celebrates an idyllic return to countryside life with joyous anticipation, yet tempers optimism with bitter acknowledgment of lost opportunities. Through wildly absurd action and savage satire, Aristophanes lampoons politicians who profited from war.
The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2
"The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2" by Aristophanes is a collection of comedic plays, written during the classical period of ancient Greece. This volume includes translations of several of Aristophanes' notable works, with a focus on satire directed at various aspects of Athenian life and society, particularly highlighting the absurdities of legal proceedings and social customs through clever characters and engaging plots. The opening portion of the volume introduces "The Wasps," one of Aristophanes' comedies, which centers around Philocleon, an elderly man obsessed with his role as a juryman, and his son, Bdelycleon, who wishes to help him abandon this unhealthy obsession. Bdelycleon's attempts to keep his father from attending the courts lead to humorous escapades, including Philocleon's ludicrous efforts to escape imprisonment in their home. The opening part sets the stage for a vivid exploration of the comical struggles between father and son, the farcical elements of their conflict, and Aristophanes' pointed commentary on the Athenian judicial system and the obsession with litigation that characterized his society.
Comedias, tomo 1 de 3 : $b Los Acarnienses, los Caballeros, las Nubes
"Comedias, tomo 1 de 3: Los Acarnienses, los Caballeros, las Nubes" by Aristophanes is a collection of ancient Greek comedies likely written in the 5th century BC. This work presents an engaging exploration of Athenian society during the Peloponnesian War through ribald humor and sharp political satire. The main character in the opening play, "Los Acarnienses," is Diceópolis, a common man who seeks peace amidst the chaos of war, representing the voices of ordinary citizens disillusioned by relentless conflict. The opening of "Los Acarnienses" introduces us to Diceópolis, who reflects on his dismal state amidst the turmoil of the Peloponnesian War. Despite his desire for peace, he finds the Athenian assembly deserted as citizens are distracted by trivial matters. Upon a tumultuous discussion about negotiating peace, he ultimately devises a personal truce with the Lacedemonians while poking fun at the ineffectiveness of public officials and diplomats. Through a series of humorous exchanges with a notary and various characters, the comedic narrative captures the absurdities of war and politics, while simultaneously exploring the broader human desire for stability and comfort in challenging times.
The Eleven Comedies, Volume 1
"The Eleven Comedies, Volume 1" by Aristophanes is a collection of classic comedic plays likely composed in the 5th century BC. These works exemplify the genre of Old Comedy, characterized by its satirical take on contemporary Athenian society, politics, and culture during the time of the Peloponnesian War. The collection includes significant plays such as "The Knights," "Lysistrata," and "The Clouds," which feature a range of humorous characters and themes, often poking fun at prominent figures and the absurdities of democracy. At the start of the volume, Aristophanes is introduced as a transformative figure in comic theatre, reflecting on the political and social landscape of Athens. The opening of the translation includes a foreword that sets the tone for the work, emphasizing its modern relevance despite being ancient. It discusses the distinct characteristics of Aristophanes’ style while providing an overview of the themes each comedy addresses, such as the critiques of famous political figures like Cleon and the antics of ordinary Athenian citizens navigating their lives amidst political turmoil. The opening effectively invites the reader to appreciate the dynamic interplay of humor, satire, and insightful commentary embedded within the comedies, all resonating with themes still pertinent today.
Comedias, tomo 2 de 3 : $b Las Avispas, la Paz, las Aves, Lisístrata
"Comedias, tomo 2 de 3: Las Avispas, la Paz, las Aves, Lisístrata" by Aristophanes is a collection of comedic plays written in the 5th century BC. This work showcases the author's sharp satirical critique of Athenian society during a turbulent period, particularly regarding the administration of justice and the people's obsession with litigation. The principal characters include Filocleón, a passionate and somewhat deranged judge, and his son Bdelicleón, who attempts to cure his father's mania for judgment and restore sanity to their household. The opening of "Las Avispas" sets the stage for the chaotic world of Athenian courts, where corrupt and inefficient systems abound, leading citizens like Filocleón to become increasingly irrational about their roles as judges. Bdelicleón's efforts to keep his father confined at home to prevent him from attending court spirals into a series of humorous attempts at escape, reflecting the absurdity of their reality. As the narrative unfolds, we see characters in comedic interactions, debates concerning legal practices, and the ultimately absurd nature of a society fixated on law and order, all delivered through Aristophanes' signature wit and humor.
Aristophanis Lysistrata
"Aristophanis Lysistrata" by Aristophanes is an ancient Greek comedy first staged in 411 BCE. When the Peloponnesian War drags on endlessly, Lysistrata devises a bold plan: women from warring Greek city-states will withhold sex from their husbands until peace is negotiated. The women seize the Acropolis and its treasury, igniting a battle between the sexes. As men grow desperate and tensions escalate, this subversive comedy explores power, desire, and women's agency in a male-dominated society.
Aristophane; Traduction nouvelle, tome premier
"Aristophane; Traduction nouvelle, tome premier" by Eugène Talbot is a literary translation likely produced in the late 19th century. This work presents a translation of the plays of Aristophanes, reflecting the comedic and often satirical nature of Ancient Greek theater. The opening of the text indicates a focus on engaging contemporary readers with a reinterpretation of classical themes, showcasing the character Dikæopolis, who embodies the struggles of the common citizen during wartime. The opening of the translation introduces the comedy "Les Acharniens," centering on the character Dikæopolis, a charcoal merchant frustrated by the ongoing war and yearning for peace. He cleverly manipulates the political landscape, negotiating a private peace treaty with the Spartans while his fellow Acharnians remain embroiled in conflict. Throughout the initial scenes, Dikæopolis expresses his bitterness through witty commentary and humorous exchanges with other characters, highlighting both the absurdity of war and the human desire for individual well-being amidst societal chaos. His efforts to secure personal tranquility set the stage for comedic conflicts, illustrating Aristophanes' critique of contemporary Athenian politics and society.
Aristophane; Traduction nouvelle, tome second
"Aristophane; Traduction nouvelle, tome second" by Aristophanes is a collection of plays, specifically the second volume containing the work "Les Oiseaux," probably written in the 5th century BC. The comedy revolves around Pisthétéros and Evelpidès, two disgruntled Athenian citizens who decide to create a utopian city in the sky, named Néphélocokkygia, in response to their dissatisfaction with life in Athens. Thematically, it critiques the socio-political dynamics of ancient Athens and explores the absurdity of human existence through the lens of avian characters and mythology. The opening of "Les Oiseaux" introduces the two protagonists, Pisthétéros and Evelpidès, who find themselves lost in a rugged wilderness while seeking the transformed bird, Tèreus. Frustrated, they bicker over their misfortune and lament their quest for a tranquil and fulfilling life. As they call upon the bird world for guidance, they encounter a myriad of feathered characters, including a Huppe, who becomes pivotal to their plans for establishing a new city. This initial segment sets the tone for a humorous and satirical exploration of ambition, social structure, and the natural world, signaling a blend of fantastical elements with critical commentary.
Βάτραχοι
"Βάτραχοι" by Aristophanes is a comedy performed in 405 BC. The god Dionysus, troubled by the decline of tragic theater after Euripides' death, journeys to the underworld with his slave Xanthias to revive the playwright. Their comic adventure leads them through encounters with angry spirits and mistaken identities. At Pluto's palace, Dionysus must judge a fierce debate between Euripides and Aeschylus for the throne of tragic drama. The play blends irreverent humor with sharp literary criticism, examining poetry's role in Athenian civic life.
Νεφέλαι
"Νεφέλαι" by Aristophanes is a Greek comedy play written in 423 BC. When debt-ridden Strepsiades discovers a school called The Thinkery that teaches students how to twist weak arguments into winning ones, he sees his escape from creditors. Led by the philosopher Socrates and blessed by the goddess Clouds, the school promises to teach the art of clever rhetoric. But when Strepsiades proves too old to learn, he sends his reluctant son instead—a decision that will teach him an unexpected lesson about the dangers of sophistry.
Λυσιστράτη
"Λυσιστράτη" by Aristophanes is an ancient Greek comedy first staged in 411 BCE. When the Peloponnesian War drags on endlessly, Lysistrata devises a bold plan: she persuades women from warring Greek city-states to withhold sex from their husbands until peace is negotiated. The women also seize Athens's treasury to cut off war funding. As desperate men and determined women clash, this battle between the sexes tests whether desire can overcome the momentum of war and male-dominated politics.
Εκκλησιάζουσαι
"Εκκλησιάζουσαι" by Aristophanes is a comedy written in 391 BCE. When Athenian women seize control of the government, they institute radical reforms: abolishing private wealth and enforcing sexual equity that favors the old and unattractive. Led by the cunning Praxagora, the women disguise themselves as men to infiltrate the assembly and argue their superiority as leaders. Through political satire and ribald humor, Aristophanes critiques Athens's wartime confiscations of wealth while imagining an audacious reversal of power between the sexes.
De Ridders
"De Ridders" by Aristophanes is a comedy written in 424 BC. This satirical play targets Cleon, a powerful Athenian politician who had previously prosecuted Aristophanes. The story follows a sausage seller who competes with Cleon for the favor of Demos, an old man symbolizing the Athenian people. Through contests of shameless flattery and outrageous boasts, the rivals battle for political control. The play offers a biting commentary on corruption and demagoguery during the Peloponnesian War, winning first prize at its debut performance.
Όρνιθες
"Όρνιθες" by Aristophanes is a comedy performed in 414 BC at the City Dionysia in Athens. Two Athenians, weary of their city's endless legal squabbles, seek out Tereus, a king transformed into a bird. They propose an audacious plan: the birds should build a magnificent city in the sky, reclaiming their ancient status as the original gods and challenging the Olympians themselves. What follows is a fantastical tale of transformation, ambition, and the creation of Cloud-Cuckoo-Land.