Aristophanes' 'Acharnians'

Aristophanes' 'Acharnians' was first produced in 425 BC on behalf of Aristophanes, by an associate (Callistratus), winning first place at the Lenaia festival. This play focuses on Dikaiopolis, an Athenian citizen, who obtains a peace treaty with the Spartans, enjoying the benefits of peace despite the opposition from some of his fellow Athenians. The play is well-known for its absurd humour and its appeal for an end to The Peloponnesian War and for Aristophanes' response to the condemnations of his previous play - 'The Babylonians' - by well-known politicians such as Cleon.

By the time the 'Acharnians' was produced, The Peloponnesian War was already into its sixth year. Every year, the Spartans and their allies had been invading Attica burning, looting and vandalizing farm property with ferocity in order to provoke the Athenians into a land battle that they couldn't win. Each year, the Athenians remained within their city walls until the Spartans returned home. When this happened, the Athenians marched out to wreak revenge on their pro-Spartan neighbors, especially Megara.

Whilst The Peloponnesian War was going on, Aristophanes was engaged in a personal and public battle with Cleon. In Aristophanes' previous play, 'The Babylonians', he depicted the cities of the Athenian League as slaves grinding at a mill. The play was then performed at the City Dionysia in the presence of foreigners. As a result, Cleon prosecuted Aristophanes for slandering the polis. When writing the 'Acharnians', Aristophanes planned his revenge by including hints that he would use in his next play, 'The Knights'.

Leading up to the production of 'Acharnians' were the following important events:

• 432BC: The Megarian decree began a trade embargo by Athens against the neighboring polis of Megara. Afterwards, The Peloponnesian War started.

• 430BC: The Plague of Athens resulted in the deaths of thousands of Athenians, including Pericles.

• 426BC: 'The Babylonians' won first prize at the City Dionysia. Cleon prosecuted Aristophanes for slandering the polis in the presence of foreigners.

• 425BC: 'Acharnians' produced at the Lenaia.

Finally, Aristophanes' 'Acharnians' is one of the few surviving plays of Aristophanes that is one of the oldest surviving examples of a highly satirical genre of drama known as Old Comedy.