Suppliants

The Suppliants is a Greek tragedy written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BCE. The play centers around a group of fifty women, known as the Danaids, who have fled from Egypt to Argos seeking refuge from forced marriage to their cousins. The king of Argos, Pelasgus, is hesitant to grant them asylum due to fear of retaliation from the Egyptians. However, the Danaids plead their case to the Argive people and their leader, Danaus, who argues that it is their duty to protect them as fellow Greeks. The play explores themes of justice, duty, and the conflict between individual and collective responsibility. The Danaids' plight raises questions about the role of women in society and the power dynamics between men and women. The play also features the character of the god Apollo, who serves as a mediator between the Argive people and the Danaids.Overall, The Suppliants is a powerful and thought-provoking tragedy that raises important questions about justice and the responsibilities of society towards its most vulnerable members.A shrine is stronger than a tower to save, A shield that none may cleave. Step swift thereto, And in your left hands hold with reverence The white-crowned wands of suppliance, the sign Beloved of Zeus, compassion's lord, and speak To those that question you, words meek and low And piteous, as beseems your stranger state, This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work