The Knights

play by Aristophanes

Also known as: “Equites”, “Hippeis”

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June 30, 2026

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The Knights is a comedy play by Aristophanes, produced in 424 BCE. It is a sharp political satire that fiercely criticizes the Athenian demagogue Cleon. In the play, Cleon is depicted as the favored slave of the foolish and irritable Athenian people (Demos). He is eventually overthrown by Agoracritus, a humble sausage seller who proves to be even more unscrupulous and audacious than Cleon. This play demonstrates Aristophanes' continued boldness in political commentary, even after facing a previous impeachment for his play Babylonians. Aristophanes was a prominent figure in Old Comedy, known for its fantasy, invective, and political criticism.12

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Aristophanes
Knights
This play shows how little Aristophanes was affected by the prosecution he had incurred for Babylonians. Knights (424 bce; Greek Hippeis) consists of a violent attack on the same demagogue, Cleon, who is depicted as the favourite slave of the stupid and irascible Demos…
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This play shows how little Aristophanes was affected by the prosecution he had incurred for Babylonians. Knights (424 bce; Greek Hippeis) consists of a violent attack on the same demagogue, Cleon, who is depicted as the favourite slave of the stupid and irascible Demos…
Read More