by Aeschylus
First published 2013
Prometheus hangs in agony, chained to a rock by Zeus's command. The Titan stole fire and gave mortals the tools of civilization, defying the god who wanted humans kept in misery. Now he faces eternal torture for his rebellion. The fifty daughters of Danaus flee across the Mediterranean, desperate to escape marriages forced upon them by their cousins. In Thebes, the sons of Oedipus march toward their doom as the cursed bloodline reaches its violent end. Meanwhile, Persian messengers bring terrible news to their queen: King Xerxes has suffered crushing defeat at Salamis, his mighty fleet destroyed by the Greeks. These four tragedies by Aeschylus capture moments of defiance, flight, fate, and defeat. Gods punish mortals who dare to rise above their station, while mortals struggle against forces beyond their control.
Genres: drama, historical-fiction, greek-mythology, ancient, epic, classical-studies
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: fate, rebellion
Setting: Mediterranean, Salamis, Thebes
Period: ancient-history
160 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books
Content warnings: violence