Think trilogies originated with the romance industry or J.R.R. Tolkien? Oh contraire! Aeschylus, the dramatist with the oldest extant plays, created trilogies 2,500 years ago. His Oresteia is the only surviving trilogy, with its three plays —Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides. The Oresteia tells the story of a Greek hero of the Trojan War and his tumultuous family.
Agamemnon: Victorious after ten years of war, Agamemnon returns home to be murdered by his wife Clytemnestra (Helen of Troy’s sister), who has taken a lover. Clytemnestra was hurt and angry over Agamemnon’s sacrifice of their virgin daughter Iphigenia to the storm god Poseidon, as well as his bringing home a Trojan paramour, the prophetess Cassandra.
The Libation Bearers: Following his murder, the children of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, Electra and Orestes, feel duty bound to avenge their father. Encouraged by Apollo, who supported the Trojans during the war, Orestes kills his mother and her lover. Matricide, however, is a horrendous betrayal of the most basic laws governing kinship. An ancient race of ferocious beings known as the Furies come after Orestes.
The Eumenides: The Furies drive Orestes mad with guilt over killing his mother. He appeals to Apollo for help, and the sun god sends him to see Athena, known for her wisdom and reasonable attitude. She insists upon a trial, and Apollo serves as Orestes’ “lawyer” during the proceedings. After a tie vote Athena acquits Orestes and changes the name of the Furies to the Eumenides, suggesting a new reasonable tone to their ancient bloodthirsty ways.
Called the Father of Tragedy, Aeschylus not only wrote trilogies but also heightened conflict by adding dialogue between characters. Previously, dramatists had written characters speaking to a chorus. Sadly, only seven of Aeschylus’ seventy plays survive. Over the years fragments of additional works have been found on papyri. Wouldn’t it be marvelous if another complete play was discovered?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Romance
I know many of the names and characters but have never read any of these. They sound pretty amazing!
They are amazing to read, Mae, and I wish we could see them acted out.
I’ve never read any of these but have heard of Agamemnon. Interesting history. and it would be cool to have more lost plays brought forth and doe today.
Oh, I think so too, Cathy. I get goosebumps.
I think we tackled sometime ago the topic. I totally agree that Aeschylus can be considered the creator of series, and of course I have in mind the Oresteia that includes Agamemnon. Agamemnon is a real ancient paranormal thriller play.
We are lucky to be two friends who both had the opportunity to read and love the great classics, Carmen. I wish more people knew of these magnificent works.