Acharnians

play by Aristophanes

Also known as: “Acharneis”

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Greek:: Acharneis

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Acharnians, earliest of the extant comedies of Aristophanes, produced in 425 bce. It is a forthright attack on the folly of war. Its farmer-hero, Dicaeopolis, is tired of the Peloponnesian War and therefore secures a private peace treaty with the Spartans for himself in spite of the violent opposition of a chorus of embittered and bellicose old charcoal burners of Acharnae. Dicaeopolis takes advantage of his private treaty to trade with the allies of the Spartans. The Athenian commander Lamachus tries to stop him, but by the end of the play Lamachus slumps wounded and dejected while Dicaeopolis enjoys a peacetime life of food, wine, and sex.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.