num_pages: 480
description: Aristophanes wrote about 40 comedies. The 11 presented here survive. Renowned as a satirical wit, his comedies are almost modern in their irreverent look at society. No subject was too elevated for his critical insight &amp; sharp barbs. He poked fun at pomposity. His bawdy humor still irks some moralists. The Knights 424 BCE Attacks the political leader Cleon's war policy. The Acharnians 426 Satirizes the war &amp; makes fun of Euripides. Peace 422 The same theme enlarging on peace's blessings. Lysistrata 411 A burlesque conspiracy by women to force peace. The Clouds 423 Satirizes Sokrates, Sophists &amp; the New Education. The Wasps 422 Makes fun of Athenian litigiousness. The Birds 414 Describes a new &amp; improved city, Cloudcuckootown. The Frogs 405 A satire on Euripides &amp; the New Tragedy. The Thesmophoriazusae 412 Another literary satire of Euripides. The Ecclesiazusae 392 Pokes fun at utopias like Plato's Republic. Plutus 408 &amp; 388 A whimsical allegory more than a regular comedy. These plays were satire's foundation. Using humor to make political &amp; philosophical points against persons &amp; institutions too powerful for direct attack, they exemplify the witty ingenuity of the Greeks.
language: English
title: The Greek Classics: Aristophanes-Eleven Plays
titlecomplete: The Greek Classics: Aristophanes-Eleven Plays
genres: Classics, Fiction, Politics
ratings_count: 17
publisher: El Paso Norte Pr