Aeschylus

American  

[es-kuh-luhs, ee-skuh-] / ˈɛs kə ləs, ˈi skə- /

noun

1. 525–456 b.c., Greek poet and dramatist.

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Aeschylus British  

/ ˈiːskələs, ˌiːskəˈliːən /

noun

1. ?525–?456 _bc , Greek dramatist, regarded as the father of Greek tragedy. Seven of his plays are extant, including Seven Against Thebes , The Persians , Prometheus Bound , and the trilogy of the Oresteia

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Aeschylus Cultural  

1. An ancient Greek poet, often considered the founder of tragedy. He was the first of the three great Greek authors of tragedies, preceding Sophocles and Euripides.

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Other Word Forms

• Aeschylean
  adjective

Example Sentences

The matricide trial of Orestes, portrayed as a shining moment for Athens by Aeschylus in “The Oresteia,” becomes a nihilistic farce in the hands of Euripides.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Instead, the artwork reflects a different telling of the Trojan War that was made famous by the Greek playwright Aeschylus.

From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2026

In that play, Aeschylus boasts that his earlier work, “The Persians,” helped strengthen the Athenians’ resolve against their enemies — highlighting the idea that art can serve to fortify communal will.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2025

It should have read "Shakespeare is by no means inferior to Aeschylus".

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2025

It is easy to distinguish the parts told by each, Aeschylus grave and direct, Ovid light and amusing.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton