The Persians is an ancient Greek tragedy written during the Classical period of Ancient Greece by the Greek tragedian Aeschylus. It is the second and only surviving part of a now otherwise lost trilogy that won the first prize at the dramatic competitions in Athens' City Dionysia festival in 472 BC, with Pericles serving as choregos.
Drawing by George Romney: The Ghost of Darius Appearing to Atossa
"The Ghost of Darius Appearing to Atossa", drawing by George Romney.
Detail from the front cover of the programme to Peter Sellars' 1993 production of the play.
Greek tragedy is one of the three principal theatrical genres from Ancient Greece and Greek inhabited Anatolia, along with comedy and the satyr play. It reached its most significant form in Athens in the 5th century BC, the works of which are sometimes called Attic tragedy.
Mask of Dionysus found at Myrina (Aeolis) of ancient Greece c. 200 BC – 1 BC, now at the Louvre
Maenads dancing, bringing a sacrificial lamb or kid
Dionysus surrounded by satyrs. Attic red-figured cup interior, 480 BC.
Aeschylus