logo

44 pages 1 hour read

Aeschylus

The Persians

AeschylusFiction | Play | Adult | BCE

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book Brief

logo
Aeschylus

The Persians

Fiction | Play | Adult | BCE
Book Details
Pages

44

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Susa, Persia • 5th Century BC

Publication Year

-1

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Persians by Aeschylus is a tragedy that follows the aftermath of King Xerxes of Persia’s failed invasion of Greece. The play begins with the Persian elders and Queen Atossa anxiously awaiting news from the war. Atossa's ominous dreams foreshadow the Persian defeat, which is later confirmed by a messenger. The ghost of Xerxes' father, Darius, is summoned and condemns Xerxes' hubris. Xerxes returns home in despair, and the play concludes with communal mourning over Persia's downfall.

Melancholic

Dark

Contemplative

Mysterious

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Aeschylus' The Persians is praised for its historical significance and unique perspective, offering a poignant glimpse into the aftermath of the Battle of Salamis from the defeated Persians' viewpoint. Critics commend its emotional depth and innovative elements, though some feel its didactic tone and lack of dramatic tension may hinder engagement. A seminal yet polarizing work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Persians?

A reader who enjoys The Persians by Aeschylus would likely appreciate classical literature, ancient history, and tragic drama. Fans of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex or Euripides' Medea will find the exploration of fate, the divine, and human suffering compelling in Aeschylus' work.

Book Details
Pages

44

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Susa, Persia • 5th Century BC

Publication Year

-1

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.