Eumenides (2)

One of the seven surviving tragedies by the Athenian playwright Aeskhylus (Aeschylus).

This play is the third in the Oresteia trilogy dealing with the murder of Agamemnon and the revenge meted out by his son, Orestes; the Eumenides wanted Orestes to be found guilty of murder but Athene (Athena) demanded mercy, saying that Orestes acted in the name of “justice” and not “revenge;” Athene placated the Eumenides by offering them a shrine on the Akropolis (Acropolis).

This is a fine story and well worth reading; if you wish to read this play I suggest The Complete Greek Tragedies, Aeschylus I, edited by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore, ISBN 0226307786; you can find this book at your library in the 800 section or you can order it through the Book Shop on this site which is linked to Amazon.com.