Aristófanes

Birth: 447ac , Atenas

Death: 0386-01-01 , Atenas

Aristophanes was an ancient Greek playwright, considered the greatest comedian of antiquity and one of the greatest writers of all time. His plays are known for their political and social satire, irreverent humor, and commentary on Athenian life during the Peloponnesian War. He is often called the "Father of Comedy".

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Poems List

There is no animal more invincible than a woman, nor fire either, nor any wildcat so ruthless.

These impossible women! How they do get around us! The poet was right: can’t live with them, or without them! 3

A woman’s time of opportunity is short, and if she doesn’t seize it, no one wants to marry her, and she sits watching for omens.

Halcyon days. 4

Mankind, fleet of life, like tree leaves, weak creatures of clay, unsubstantial as shadows, wingless, ephemeral, wretched, mortal and dreamlike.

Somewhere, what with all these clouds, and all this air, There must be a rare name, somewhere… How do you like “Cloud-Cuckoo-Land”? 3

Bringing owls to Athens.

Full of wiles, full of guile, at all times, in all ways, Are the children of Men. 3

This is what extremely grieves us, that a man who never fought Should contrive our fees to pilfer, one who for his native land Never to this day had oar, or lance, or blister in his hand.

[On the nightingale:] Lord Zeus, listen to the little bird’s voice; he has filled the whole thicket with honeyed song.

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Aristophanes was born in Athens around 447 BC and died in Athens around 385 BC. He is the best-known representative of ancient Greek Comedy. His work is a fierce critique of the customs, politics, and morals of his time. Using humor, satire, and parody, Aristophanes questioned power, war, and hypocrisy. Plays such as "The Clouds" satirize Socrates, "Lysistrata" proposes a sex strike to end the Peloponnesian War, and "The Frogs" criticizes the tragic poets. His language is rich, inventive, and full of puns and wordplay, reflecting the intellectual liveliness of classical Athens. Although many of his works have been lost, those that remain offer a unique glimpse into Athenian society and the comic genius of their author.