"O" is for the "Oresteia"! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Father of Greek Tragedy

Aeschylus was born c.525 BC near Athens to a wealthy family. The story is that he worked at a vineyard until Dionysus visited him in a dream and told him to begin writing tragedies. He is credited with being the first to write plays in trilogies; the "Oresteia" is the only surviving example, even though he wrote an estimated 70-90 plays. Aristotle wrote that before Aeschylus the characters only interacted with the chorus on stage. His plays featured more characters who interacted with each other.

It's difficult to not be a fan of Aeschylus. Even though he is still renowned today as the Father of Greek Tragedy, he was more than just a writer. He also fought with Athens during the Persian Wars - along with his brothers. In 490 BC he fought at the Battle of Marathon, an accomplishment that was placed on his epitaph rather than his success as a playwright. When the Persians returned in 480 BC, Aeschylus fought at the Battle of Salamis.

Answer: Tantalus

This is a very tangled web, but let's try to unravel it. The curse began with Tantalus - yes, the one who was exiled to Tartarus and never was able to eat or drink! He supposedly stole the gods' food, nectar and ambrosia, from his father, Zeus, and gave it to the people. Then, as a test, he cut up his son, Pelops, boiled him, and served him to the gods. Of course, they knew what Tantalus had done, hence his punishment in Tartarus. With their power, the gods brought Pelops back to life. He, however, continued the family's treachery when he cheated in the chariot race for his wife's hand in marriage. He was cursed by the charioteer, Myrtilus, who was involved in the plot, but killed for his trouble. Pelop's son, Atreus, the father of both Agamemnon and Menelaus, plotted with his brother, Thyestes, to murder their half-brother in order to take the throne of Olympia. After learning of an adulterous relationship between Thyestes and his wife, Atreus murdered Thyestes' sons and fed them to their father.

Those Greeks really knew how to weave a story plot, didn't they? This is not quite the end of the story, as there is more to come!

Answer: Sacrifice his daughter

Agamemnon and Menelaus grew up under the protection of the King of Sparta, and each married one of his daughters - Agamemnon married Clytemnestra and Menelaus won the beautiful Helen. When Helen was taken to Troy, Agamemnon became the leader of the Greek army who ultimately fought there for ten years to try and rescue her. But as the Greeks gathered to sail to Troy, they could not catch a favorable wind. Apparently, Agamemnon had angered Artemis by killing one of her sacred deer and bragging that he was as good a hunter as she. She was also opposed to the war, because so many people would lose their lives. A prophet told Agamemnon that in order to catch a wind, he would have to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia - which he did.

His wife, Clytemnestra, was furious, and planned her revenge for ten years while the war was fought in Troy. She also took a lover, Aegisthus, who was the son of Thyestes and his own daughter, so he was a close relation of her husband. Together they plotted to kill Agamemnon when he returned home from the war. Upon his return, Agamemnon didn't help stem the tide of her rage any, as he brought his lover home with him.

Answer: Orestes

It must be said here that Aeschylus was not the only playwright who wrote about the House of Atreus, so more than one version of the story exists. Orestes was Agamemnon's heir. Some sources say that Clytemnestra also wished to kill him, but he was saved by his nurse or sister. Others say that he was simply not at home, and was exiled after his father's death, during which time he was protected by King Strophius of Phanote. After waiting seven or eight years, he returned to Argos with Pylades, the son of Strophius.

Upon his return to Argos, Orestes found his sister, Electra, pouring libations on the grave of Agamemnon. Clytemnestra thought that doing this would end the bad dreams she had been experiencing. Orestes was also there to perform rites for his father. Together they made a plan to seek revenge for their father's death.

Answer: He must kill his mother.

According to the code of justice, murder cried for revenge, and that created a vicious cycle of blood feuding. In order to avenge his father's murder, Orestes must murder his own mother. When he visited the Oracle at Delphi, the god Apollo told him that there was no other course of action. So Orestes obeyed the Oracle, and not only killed his mother, Clytemnestra, but also her lover, Aegisthus, who some sources say had dealt the death blow to Agamemnon.

Answer: Furies

The Eumenides, also called the Furies, were believed to be even older than the gods on Mt. Olympus. They were three sisters, described as old hags: Alecto, who punished moral shortcomings; Megaera, who punished those who did not keep their oaths, thieves, and the unfaithful; and Tisiphone, who punished murderers.

They had snakes for hair, the heads of dogs, the wings of bats, and carried whips that had brass spikes. They literally hounded their victims and beat them to death.

Answer: False

It was possible. In fact, by the time the story in the trilogy was complete, they became known as the "Gracious Ones", the protectors of justice, rather than the enforcers of vengeance. This did not occur, however, without some major threats. When reminded that the thunderbolts that Zeus used to defeat the older deities were still in existence, they agreed that they would still enforce the blood for blood rule in war, and otherwise praised and honored.

Answer: Athena

Athena determined that Orestes would stand trial on the Areopagus in Athens. Twelve Athenian citizens would hear the case, and determine his fate. As it turned out, the vote ended in a tie. Of course, Athena broke the tie, and a verdict of "not guilty" was delivered.

According to the legend, Athena established the first law court and jury in the world. Rather than twelve members, the Athenian jury featured 6000 members who were chosen by lottery out the the body of citizens who formed the Assembly - men, who were free, 18 years old, and born in Athens. For important cases, the jury might have several hundred members. The ancient Athenians trusted justice by the many, believing that a better verdict would be reached with more opinions, and that the outcome would be more fair.

Answer: False

Its pretty safe to assume that Orestes had a rough road ahead of him. He knew it was his duty to avenge his father's death, but he knew he would be guilt-ridden after taking the revenge. He also knew better than to ignore the advice of the god, Apollo. Even with all his power, however, Apollo could not protect him from what was about to happen.

He was hounded and tormented by the Eumenides until he just couldn't take it any more. When he pleaded before Athena, he said, "I can speak to Athena with pure lips", and "...I have been cleansed of my guilt". Through his actions of doing what was expected of him, and admitting that he had felt guilt - something that apparently no other member of his family had ever done - Orestes broke the curse.

Answer: Festival of Dionysus

There was a Rural Dionysia and a City Dionysia (Festival of Dionysus) held annually in ancient Greece. The Rural Dionysia, held in December/January, was connected to the farming of grapes. There were contests and plays, but the plays that were presented were typically the previous year's favorites. Different towns held their festival on different days, so they could be attended by others.

The City Dionysia, also called the Great Dionysia, was held in March/April in Athens and lasted for several days. On the first day there was a pompç, or procession, that symbolized events in the history of the polis; on the second days the titles of plays that were to be performed were announced, and judges were chosen by, of course, lottery. Tragic plays would be attended for at least three straight days, and other contests, later on including comedies, were also viewed for two more days. Winners were given a wreath of ivy. The fact that the names of the winners of the festivals are still known testifies to the importance of this event in Athens. The plays were not only a source of entertainment, but also a way for people to learn about their history and culture.