The Persans

Aeschylus' The Persians is the earliest Greek tragedy that has survived, and it was staged for the first time in 472 BC. This play is based on the historical fact of the defeat of the Persians in the Battle of Salamis (480 BC).

The play is set in Susa, the Persian capital, where Queen Atossa and a chorus of Persian elders await the news about King Xerxes and his army. A messenger appears and declares that the Persian army has lost in battle. He describes how the fleet was destroyed and many soldiers perished because of King Xerxes' pride and wrong decisions.

Atossa calls for the spirit of her husband, King Darius, to appear. Darius tells her that the reason for such a disaster was the pride and ambition of King Xerxes. By trying to conquer Greece and challenging the natural order, he brought punishment to himself and his people. Darius warns that pride always leads to suffering.

In the last scene, King Xerxes returns home defeated, and along with his chorus he laments the loss of the army and the decline of his power.

Thus, the play deals with important themes such as pride, responsibility, leadership, and consequences of war.