Agamemnon

play by Aeschylus

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July 20, 2026

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Agamemnon is a tragic play by the ancient Greek dramatist Aeschylus, first performed in 458 BCE as part of the Oresteia trilogy. The play depicts the victorious return of King Agamemnon from the Trojan War and his subsequent murder by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. Clytemnestra's motive for the murder is revenge for Agamemnon's sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia. The play is noted for its powerful dramatic and poetic language, particularly Clytemnestra's deceptive words and the metaphorical choral songs that explore themes of theology, politics, and family relationships.12

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Agamemnon
Agamemnon’s murder
In Agamemnon (458 bce), by the Greek poet and dramatist Aeschylus, however, Agamemnon was killed by Clytemnestra, as revenge for the death of Iphigeneia. The murder was avenged by Orestes, who returned to slay both his mother and her paramour.
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In Agamemnon (458 bce), by the Greek poet and dramatist Aeschylus, however, Agamemnon was killed by Clytemnestra, as revenge for the death of Iphigeneia. The murder was avenged by Orestes, who returned to slay both his mother and her paramour.
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Oresteia
The first play, Agamemnon, portrays the victorious return of that king from the Trojan War and his murder by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. At the play’s end Clytemnestra and her lover rule Árgos. The work has extraordinary, sustained dramatic and poetic power. Particularly notable are…
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The first play, Agamemnon, portrays the victorious return of that king from the Trojan War and his murder by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. At the play’s end Clytemnestra and her lover rule Árgos. The work has extraordinary, sustained dramatic and poetic power. Particularly notable are…
Read More