The Athenians were so terrified of Cleon that no artist would make a mask to represent him and no actor would play the part. Therefore Aristophanes put on ruddy make-up and played the role himself. In the play the Paphlagonian is put down through his own methods of flattery, boasting, and invective by the Sausage-seller. Although the play was received enthusiastically and won first prize, Cleon remained in favor. In Peace Trygaeus flies up to heaven on a great dung beetle and discusses peace and war with Hermes.
War is shown mixing a salad from various cities in a gigantic mortar.
All things all around are teeming with the mellow gifts of Peace. Lysistrata gets the women to take a vow to refrain from willingly granting any sexual favors to their husbands. The women take over the state treasury at the Acropolis. To speed the plot along the wives and mistresses adorn themselves in transparent gowns to seduce the men. The men of Athens and Sparta become sexually aroused and not being granted any satisfaction they impatiently arrange a hasty peace treaty.