Eumenides

play by Aeschylus

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July 20, 2026

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The Eumenides is the third play in the ancient Greek trilogy Oresteia by Aeschylus, first performed in 458 BCE. It concludes the story of Orestes, who is pursued by the Furies for murdering his mother, Clytemnestra, to avenge his father, Agamemnon.12

Seeking sanctuary, Orestes is brought to Athens to stand trial. The goddess Athena presides over a jury that is evenly divided. Athena casts the deciding vote, acquitting Orestes. The Furies, originally personifications of curses, are then persuaded by Athena to become the "Kindly Ones" (Eumenides) and bless Athens, thus ending the cycle of vengeance and establishing the rule of law.134

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Oresteia
The third play, Eumenides, opens at the shrine of Apollo at Delphi, where Orestes has taken sanctuary from the Furies. At the command of the Delphic oracle, Orestes journeys to Athens to stand trial for his matricide. There the goddess Athena organizes a trial with a jury of…
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The third play, Eumenides, opens at the shrine of Apollo at Delphi, where Orestes has taken sanctuary from the Furies. At the command of the Delphic oracle, Orestes journeys to Athens to stand trial for his matricide. There the goddess Athena organizes a trial with a jury of…
Read More